BlackKnights

Avery Brown sizes up a putt April 24 at the conference tournament opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Avery Brown sizes up a putt April 24 at the conference tournament opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights fall late at regionals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Huntersville – Coming off a solid practice round, Robbinsville was in second place with just six holes left to go at May 5's Western Regional meet.
Robbinsville's 4x800 boys relay team broke the school record at Friday's meet. From left are Xamuel Wachacha, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick and Colton McCoy. Photo courtesy of Heather Wachacha

Robbinsville's 4x800 boys relay team broke the school record at Friday's meet. From left are Xamuel Wachacha, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick and Colton McCoy. Photo courtesy of Heather Wachacha

8 headed to state

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
* State meet preview Columbus – Though no regional champions from Robbinsville were crowned at Friday's meet, the Black Knights stamped eight tickets to the state championship.
Senior Quinn Jumper finished with a .411 average in 2025, leading the Black Knights in that category. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Senior Quinn Jumper finished with a .411 average in 2025, leading the Black Knights in that category. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Diamond Knights shine in season finale

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Cherokee – Despite being left out of the playoffs this season, the Black Knights had plenty to hang their hats on after May 1's season finale.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

Lady Knights back at the mountaintop

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Robbinsville – Last year's middle school softball team had seven players who are now competing in the varsity ranks. The 2024 squad was the first to win a divisional title for Robbinsville since 2017.
Avery Webster had a multi-hit performance in Robbinsville’s 12-1 blowout victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Avery Webster had a multi-hit performance in Robbinsville’s 12-1 blowout victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Black Knights tee off against Braves

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Quinn Jumper snags a pop-up Monday against Swain County. Robbinsville – The Black Knights shook off a succession of conference losses in resounding fashion Tuesday, trouncing Cherokee in a five-inning, 12-1 affair on Senior Night.
With the setting sun beaming down, the Robbinsville Black Knights soak in the reality of their first Smoky Mountain Conference golf championship in 25 years. The team clinched the title Monday at Mountain Harbour Golf Course in Hayesville, at the conclusion of the two-day league tournament. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With the setting sun beaming down, the Robbinsville Black Knights soak in the reality of their first Smoky Mountain Conference golf championship in 25 years. The team clinched the title Monday at Mountain Harbour Golf Course in Hayesville, at the conclusion of the two-day league tournament. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Swinging for state

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Hayesville – A 25-year gap in divisional championships found itself buried in the sand bunker Monday. In a commanding 46-stroke victory, Robbinsville captured its first Smoky Mountain Conference golf title since 2000 by shooting a 721 over the course of the two-day league tournament.
Members of the Robbinsville Shooting Team accept the program’s second-place trophy in hunter skills at March 16’s district tournament. From left are Murphy Shanahan, Ryan Lynn, Avery Brown and Wade Franado. Not pictured are Myley Hyde and Mason Satterfield. Photo courtesy of Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Members of the Robbinsville Shooting Team accept the program’s second-place trophy in hunter skills at March 16’s district tournament. From left are Murphy Shanahan, Ryan Lynn, Avery Brown and Wade Franado. Not pictured are Myley Hyde and Mason Satterfield. Photo courtesy of Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Shooters narrowly miss state tournament bid

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Columbus – The Black Knights barely missed the mark on qualifying for a state-competition appearance.
As part of a fundraiser, the Robbinsville Black Knights football team is selling a limited number of game-used helmets.

As part of a fundraiser, the Robbinsville Black Knights football team is selling a limited number of game-used helmets.

Game-worn helmets on sale

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – For a limited time, you can purchase a piece of Black Knights football history. New head coach Lucas Ford announced Friday that helmets worn by members of the Robbinsville football program were available to buy. Only 35 will be sold; the cost is $100.
Robbinsville’s Easton Shuler (2) tries to beat the relay throw to home plate during Game 1 of April 9’s doubleheader against Franklin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Easton Shuler (2) tries to beat the relay throw to home plate during Game 1 of April 9’s doubleheader against Franklin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights giving divisional foes fits

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 17, 2025
After returning to the postseason picture in 2024 – their first appearance since 2011 – and collecting 10 wins for the first time since 2010, the Black Knights entered 2025 with a lot of optimism.
Middle school Lady Knight Lakin Orr awaits the call after tagging a Murphy baserunner during April 1’s home game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Middle school Lady Knight Lakin Orr awaits the call after tagging a Murphy baserunner during April 1’s home game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights enter break 9-1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Murphy – Thanks to the 8th grade coast trip and Spring Break, the middle school Lady Knights will have a 19-day gap in-between games. The rest of the Smoky Mountain Conference is hopeful that the interruption will cool the team off.