LadyKnights

With his sister Bella looking on, Landen Eddings competes in the shotgun event at March 2’s FarWest Invitational. Photos courtesy of Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

With his sister Bella looking on, Landen Eddings competes in the shotgun event at March 2’s FarWest Invitational. Photos courtesy of Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Locked and loaded

Ryan Lynn stands with his second-place shotgun trophy at March 2’s FarWest Invitational in Marble. Lynn finished with a 200 in the event and only missed out on first place due to a shoot-off.

Stream-lined rally

Candler – Down to their last three outs, it was gut check time for the Lady Knights. Robbinsville (3-0, 1-1) trailed Enka (2-1) 11-7, as March 7’s trip to suburban Asheville reached the top of the seventh.

Middle school wins openers

Andrews – Like the dark cloud that lingered over western North Carolina on Tuesday, Robbinsville Middle School rained on the hosting Andrews Wildcats’ parade in the season debut.
In her first game as a Robbinsville Lady Knight, Sophie Roberts launched the  program’s first home run of the year at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

In her first game as a Robbinsville Lady Knight, Sophie Roberts launched the program’s first home run of the year at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Offensive outpour

Webster – Everywhere you looked, Monday’s season opener for the Robbinsville Lady Knights was nothing but positive. A 12-run top of the first ended things before they really got started for Smoky Mountain (0-2), as Robbinsville almost batted around twice in its first offensive series of the year.
Robbinsville seniors Zoie Shuler and Cuttler Adams – shown competing at last year’s state championship meet – will help usher in the Knights’ 2024 track & field season. As part of their curtain call, both are seeking returns to the 1A dance. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville seniors Zoie Shuler and Cuttler Adams – shown competing at last year’s state championship meet – will help usher in the Knights’ 2024 track & field season. As part of their curtain call, both are seeking returns to the 1A dance. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Success is not complex

* Robbinsville track & field season preview Robbinsville – As the track & field program continues to build its roster depth from the ground up, the varsity roster is set to compete with what new head coach Dale Farr deems a strong “nucleus.
Robbinsville senior Delaney Brooms unloads a 3-point attempt over the defense of Hayesville’s Emma Ashe during Feb. 20’s meeting in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Knights and Jackets were paired together in the first round of the playoffs exactly one week later, with Hayesville pulling away late to advance in the postseason race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Delaney Brooms unloads a 3-point attempt over the defense of Hayesville’s Emma Ashe during Feb. 20’s meeting in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Knights and Jackets were paired together in the first round of the playoffs exactly one week later, with Hayesville pulling away late to advance in the postseason race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights unable to recreate playoff magic

Hayesville – It was the fourth time this year that Robbinsville had drawn the Lady Jackets as its opponent. The Lady Knights made the trek to Clay County on Tuesday to face their conference rival in the first round of the state playoffs. Robbinsville (No.
Zoie Shuler committed to play softball at the University of Tennessee in the offseason. She will spend her senior year as a Robbinsville Lady Knight, proving why the Vols requested her talents.

Zoie Shuler committed to play softball at the University of Tennessee in the offseason. She will spend her senior year as a Robbinsville Lady Knight, proving why the Vols requested her talents.

Lady Knights hoping experience, youth will mean state gold

Memory Frapp enters her senior year as the Lady Knights’ go-to hurler. She fanned 108 batters last season.  Robbinsville – They have power, youthful exuberance and one of the most experienced lineups in the program’s history, top to bottom.
Sophomore guard Suri Watty (right) keeps a watchful eye on the outside antics of Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams during Tuesday’s loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sophomore guard Suri Watty (right) keeps a watchful eye on the outside antics of Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams during Tuesday’s loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Inconsistency dooms Lady Knights

Cherokee – If the Lady Knights can get into a full-game groove, look out. Flashes of the potential Robbinsville (No. 3 seed, 16-8) has still yet to tap into were on display in the first quarter of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament pairing against Hayesville (No. 2, 20-5).
It was smiles all around for the Lady Knights during their regular-season home finale Feb. 7 against Blue Ridge School, as clearly illustrated on this throw-in from Claire Barlow (4) to Suri Watty. Photo by Audrey Colvin/The Graham Star

It was smiles all around for the Lady Knights during their regular-season home finale Feb. 7 against Blue Ridge School, as clearly illustrated on this throw-in from Claire Barlow (4) to Suri Watty. Photo by Audrey Colvin/The Graham Star

Lady Knights take 3rd

The final Smoky Mountain Conference standings for the 2023-24 girls basketball season. Cherokee – A home playoff game is still up for grabs for the Robbinsville Lady Knights, after finishing the regular season ranked third in the Smoky Mountain Conference.