LadyKnights

With Smoky Mountain’s Ben Brown (21) looking on, Luke Lovin puts up an inside floater in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game with the Mustangs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With Smoky Mountain’s Ben Brown (21) looking on, Luke Lovin puts up an inside floater in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game with the Mustangs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Saddled with struggles

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Sylva – At every turn and circumstance, the Knights were thwarted in their quest to start 2025 off in the win column. A 4-game tilt at Smoky Mountain on Tuesday ended with Robbinsville exiting 0-4 on the evening, with only the varsity Black Knights posing a serious threat to the 3A Mustangs.
Black Knight Lleyton Hooper secured his 100th career win at Saturday’s Enka Duals. With Hooper is assistant coach David Haney (left) and head coach Travis Hooper. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Black Knight Lleyton Hooper secured his 100th career win at Saturday’s Enka Duals. With Hooper is assistant coach David Haney (left) and head coach Travis Hooper. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Another Hooper wins 100

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Candler – In resounding fashion, Lleyton Hooper joined an esteemed chapter of Robbinsville’s storied wrestling tradition. During the opening match of Saturday’s Enka Duals, the junior grappler dominated Union (Va.) High School’s Dylan Brugger.
McKynlee Adams launches a long-range jumper Dec. 19 at Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

McKynlee Adams launches a long-range jumper Dec. 19 at Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights tame Wildcats

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Andrews – The middle school hoopsters touched the court for the final time in 2024 on Dec. 19, traveling to Andrews and emerging with a mixed bag of results. The Lady Knights (7-5) won the afternoon’s opener 45-33, while the Black Knights (5-7) dropped a 58-41 contest.
Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie jostles with Cherokee’s Chanttin Tramper on Dec. 18. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie jostles with Cherokee’s Chanttin Tramper on Dec. 18. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Home for a holiday

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Robbinsville – Anytime the Black Knights are fortunate enough to host a wrestling match, it’s the hottest ticket in town. Known for its willingness to make long journeys just to face the best competition out there, Robbinsville (10-6) grappled on its home mats for the first time since Nov.
Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Blackhawks joust Black Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Weaverville – The final varsity basketball action of 2024 proved to be a tough assignment.
Latesha Orr grabs top control on Velvet Carver during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Latesha Orr grabs top control on Velvet Carver during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights honing craft

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Corryton, Tenn. – Don’t let the win/loss record fool you: the Lady Knights are making significant headway on the mat.  Robbinsville (3-8) dropped a pair of duals Dec. 10 at Gibbs High School in Tennessee, before logging more bout time Saturday at North Henderson’s Falcon Frenzy.
Taking advantage of a frantic scramble inside the paint, Robbinsville senior Jozlyn Garland unloads a 3-pointer Friday against Murphy. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Taking advantage of a frantic scramble inside the paint, Robbinsville senior Jozlyn Garland unloads a 3-pointer Friday against Murphy. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Perfect run ends

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Back-to-back road losses Monday and Tuesday dampened a 4-0 start for the Robbinsville Lady Knights. It was a struggle from the opening tip-off at Hiwassee Dam (6-2), as Robbinsville (4-2, 1-1) fought all evening to make an inside presence against the Lady Eagles.
Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison prepares to shoot around the defense of Murphy’s John Parker Watson during Monday’s loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison prepares to shoot around the defense of Murphy’s John Parker Watson during Monday’s loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school splits the bill

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Bryson City – A clean sweep of Swain County by Robbinsville on Dec. 5 was followed by a shaky showing at home Monday. The middle school Lady Knights (5-4) exorcised the Devils 54-16, while the Black Knights (4-5) cast out the demons 47-44.
Skyler Anderson became the latest Black Knight to record 100 career wins, achieving the feat Saturday during the Jim Hayes Invitational. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Skyler Anderson became the latest Black Knight to record 100 career wins, achieving the feat Saturday during the Jim Hayes Invitational. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

100 wins in the books

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Charlotte – Just two weeks removed from teammate Loxston Hooper picking up career victory No. 100, Black Knight grappler Skyler Anderson accomplished the same feat during Saturday’s Jim Hayes Invitational.
Senior Liz Carpenter sizes up a free throw Monday against Smoky Mountain. Through the first three games of the year, Carpenter is averaging 15.3 points per game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior Liz Carpenter sizes up a free throw Monday against Smoky Mountain. Through the first three games of the year, Carpenter is averaging 15.3 points per game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Knights not playing nice

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Highlands – The Lady Knights have won each of their first three games this season by a combined 13 points. "Close" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, though – a "W" is all that matters.