LadyKnights

Suri Watty celebrates after reaching second base in Robbinsville's second-round playoff rout of River Mill Academy on May 8. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Suri Watty celebrates after reaching second base in Robbinsville's second-round playoff rout of River Mill Academy on May 8. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

One for the road

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Robbinsville – If Tuesday's game is any indication, the Lady Knights are well on their way to a state finals appearance.The dynasty of Robbinsville softball has never reached the 1A championship series, but has mowed down postseason opponents in its current quest for a ring.
The Robbinsville Black Knights made history May 14, winning the program's first-ever team state championship.

The Robbinsville Black Knights made history May 14, winning the program's first-ever team state championship.

Knights win 1st team state championship

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Greensboro – Between three individual state champions and a plethora of high placements, the Robbinsville Black Knights mixed together the right formula for 1A immortality.
Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms returned to the circle for the Lady Knights' playoff opener against River Mill Academy. She combined for 20 strikeouts against both the Lady Jaguars and Tuesday's third-round opposition, Falls Lake Academy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms returned to the circle for the Lady Knights' playoff opener against River Mill Academy. She combined for 20 strikeouts against both the Lady Jaguars and Tuesday's third-round opposition, Falls Lake Academy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights back in regional series

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Robbinsville – The friendly confines of Judy Nichols Memorial Field played favorably into the Lady Knights' hands during their 2026 postseason openers.After enjoying a first-round bye, Robbinsville (No.
The Robbinsville Black Knights proudly display the 1A Western Regional Championship plaque Friday, after conquering the competition at Montreat College.

The Robbinsville Black Knights proudly display the 1A Western Regional Championship plaque Friday, after conquering the competition at Montreat College.

Black Knights capture regional championship

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Black Mountain – Robbinsville's boys track and field are on the cusp of sweeping the championship slate clean.With a resounding 179 team points, the Black Knights cruised to the 1A Western Regional title at Friday's meet, which was held at Montreat College.
Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights clinch No. 1 seed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – It is only fitting that after such a successful season, the Lady Knights have once again been afforded the No. 1 seed in the 1A Western postseason bracket.
Robbinsville's Nathan Frederick (left) and Colton McCoy were named the respective MVPs of track and field events at April 29's Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Nathan Frederick (left) and Colton McCoy were named the respective MVPs of track and field events at April 29's Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win 1st divisional title since 2011

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Cherokee – The last time Robbinsville's boys track and field program won a conference title, some of the athletes on the roster had yet to be born.
Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Queens reign again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Another year, another divisional championship for the Lady Knights.
Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Can't rain on her parade

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Ella Nelms seemingly had this season by the horns.She started 16 games. She won 16 of them. She surrendered two runs (one unearned) and coughed up just 17 hits while logging 81 innings of work inside the circle. Her ERA is an almost-unfathomable 0.
Daphne Barlow stands poised in the batters box during April 9's game against A.C. Reynolds. Barlow drove in Robbinsville's only runs during last week's shocking loss to Enka. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Daphne Barlow stands poised in the batters box during April 9's game against A.C. Reynolds. Barlow drove in Robbinsville's only runs during last week's shocking loss to Enka. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights stunned

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights posted a graphic on their Facebook page shortly after incurring their first loss of the year April 15.The final score of 12-2 was emblazoned across the screen, along with the words, "Remember this one. We will.
With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Attaway, Drey!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Cullowhee – Just a few weeks after Western Carolina University re-named its softball complex after the program's founder, a high school team helped christen the field.The Robbinsville Lady Knights rolled onto campus April 9, playing as the away team in the annual neutral-site clash with the A.C.