BlackKnights

Robbinsville’s Hayden Stewart (left) and Ava Barlow won the respective boys and girls varsity races at the Currahee Classic on Dec. 2. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Hayden Stewart (left) and Ava Barlow won the respective boys and girls varsity races at the Currahee Classic on Dec. 2. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

All they do is win, win, win

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 11, 2020
Robbinsville – Home course advantage aside, the Black Knights’ varsity performance at the Currahee Classic turned heads across the Smoky Mountain Conference.

Making great strides

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Hayesville – A third-place individual finish in one race and four top-10 placers in another. The Robbinsville cross country program ventured to Clay County for the Smoky Mountain Conference opener Wednesday, Nov. 18.
The 2020-21 Robbinsville High School cross-country team consists of (from left): Sully Shanahan, Zeb Stewart, William Cable, Ava Barlow, Xander Wachacha, Phoenix Brooks and Hayden Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The 2020-21 Robbinsville High School cross-country team consists of (from left): Sully Shanahan, Zeb Stewart, William Cable, Ava Barlow, Xander Wachacha, Phoenix Brooks and Hayden Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights off to the races

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 19, 2020
* Robbinsville cross-country season preview Robbinsville – No excuses here. When the Robbinsville High School cross-country program hits the course for its first meet after press time Wednesday, the Knights will return just one girl and six boys from last year’s campaign.
Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spectators limited for fall sports

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Raleigh – An Oct. 15 announcement from the N.C. High School Athletic Association confirmed what many had feared: sports will begin next month, but crowds will be sparse. In the release, the association maintained its desire to mirror both advice from the N.C.

State increases number of meets for runners

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Raleigh – If running is your main prerogative in high school athletics, you now have four more chances to showcase your stamina. The N.C. High School Athletic Association issued a press release Tuesday afternoon, indicating that a Sept.
How the 2020-21 calendar will look for Robbinsville athletics, barring more changes. Graphic by Tina Sheldon/The Graham Star

How the 2020-21 calendar will look for Robbinsville athletics, barring more changes. Graphic by Tina Sheldon/The Graham Star

Taking the good with the bad

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Que Tucker’s announcement was music to athletes’ ears. After months of speculation, the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s commissioner presented during a Aug. 12 press conference a proposed sports calendar for the 2020-21 school year.
Robbinsville Termite Black Knight Braylon Phillips weaves through the Copper Basin, Tenn., defense during a Sept. 28, 2019 showdown. The Smokey Mountain Youth Conference announced the cancelation of the 2020 football and cheerleading seasons on June 16. Photo courtesy of Jenny Millsaps

Robbinsville Termite Black Knight Braylon Phillips weaves through the Copper Basin, Tenn., defense during a Sept. 28, 2019 showdown. The Smokey Mountain Youth Conference announced the cancelation of the 2020 football and cheerleading seasons on June 16. Photo courtesy of Jenny Millsaps

Youth football, cheer season cancelled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 25, 2020
It is a move all involved were hoping to avoid. The 2020 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference football and cheerleading seasons were officially canceled on June 16.
Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson breaks the plane for one of his five 1A state championship game touchdowns on Dec. 14. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson breaks the plane for one of his five 1A state championship game touchdowns on Dec. 14. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win two more, for the road

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Asheville – Much like everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated the possibility of holding the 59th Western North Carolina Sports Awards.
Judy Nichols Memorial Field – home of the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights – was set to host a team that very well could have contended for a state championship this season. New seating was installed behind home plate and improvements were made field-wide in preparation for the year, but the cancelation of the remainder of the school year is going to leave seniors school-wide wondering, “What if?" Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Judy Nichols Memorial Field – home of the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights – was set to host a team that very well could have contended for a state championship this season. New seating was installed behind home plate and improvements were made field-wide in preparation for the year, but the cancelation of the remainder of the school year is going to leave seniors school-wide wondering, “What if?" Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spring sports season cancelled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Following the statewide closure of K-12 public schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 year Friday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association quickly made a difficult decision.