LadyKnights

Robbinsville’s Fala Welch, Ryn Hooper, Anna Williams, Aubrie Wachacha, Olivia Lewis and Abby Adams (from left) celebrate after the tying run scored in the bottom of the second of May 11’s playoff game against Elkin. Photos by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Elks bucked out of postseason

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were subjected to a scrappy dogfight in round two of the state playoffs, hosting the No. 19-seeded Elkin Buckin’ Elks on May 11. Robbinsville ultimately prevailed 6-4, in a game that reads like the truest definition of a “team” win.

Freshman Lady Knight Anna Williams turns on a pitch during May 11's home playoff game against Elkin. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights continue postseason run

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights ran into a Division I-committed pitcher and a potent Union Academy offense in the third round of the state playoffs Wednesday, as Gracie Hollingsworth both homered and struck out 11 Robbinsville batters in a 10-1 loss on Judy Nichols Memorial Field. Robbinsville (No.

Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was named as the 2023 Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Division II Female Athlete of the Year, Major Sport at Sunday’s WNC Sports Awards Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Shuler, Trammell honored as best in WNC

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 15, 2023

Asheville – Sunday’s 61st WNC Sports Awards Banquet simply confirmed to the rest of Western North Carolina what the Knights’ fanbase already knew: Zoie Shuler and Desta Trammell are two of the most elite athletes to ever wear a Robbinsville uniform.

Desta Trammell signed to play basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne University on May 3. Seated with her are mother Kimm (left) and father Ritchie. Standing in back (from left) are cousin Shayla Bush, grandmother Beverly Camden, grandfather Wesley Trammell and grandmother Lib Trammell. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Grin and Bear it

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 15, 2023

Robbinsville – It was really just a formality. After all, Desta Trammell has known for years that she wanted to play for the Lenoir-Rhyne University Lady Bears, a NCAA Division II program out of Hickory. She entertained offers from six different institutions.

Brock Adams and Zoie Shuler were named the respective Male and Female Most Outstanding athletes of the 2023 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet, which was held May 3 at Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Against the wind

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 15, 2023

Cherokee – Between just two Robbinsville High athletes, five total Most Outstanding Athlete of the Smoky Mountain Conference Track & Field Championship Meet distinctions exist. There was really no need to have a coaches poll at the conclusion of May 3’s meet: their results spoke for themselves.

The Robbinsville Lady Knights relish in the moment after winning their 14th Smoky Mountain Conference title Saturday at Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Legacy continues

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 15, 2023

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips could not contain her excitement after donning the team’s “home run hat” Friday.

Prior to Tuesday’s home game against Hayesville, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their four baseball seniors. From left are Alex Knight, Lathan Buchanan, Preston Phillips and Caleb Turpin. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights split Senior Night appointments with Hayesville

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Robbinsville – The final home games of the regular season featured two Robbinsville programs meeting two Hayesville teams – and both in stark contrast of the other. The Lady Knights are sitting atop the Smoky Mountain Conference standings, as are the Hayesville Yellow Jackets baseball team.

Memory Frapp, Claire Barlow and Zoie Shuler (from left) ripped a combined four homers in Friday’s 12-1 win over Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Fate rests in their hands

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 1, 2023

Robbinsville – If Tuesday’s game is any indicator, the Lady Knights are going to have to work extra hard to retain their monopoly on the Smoky Mountain Conference championship.

All the speculation concerning where Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell would play college basketball was resolved April 11, when she announced her commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos courtesy of Faith Trammell/Contributing Photographer

Another college, another Trammell

Kevin Hensley

Friday, April 21, 2023

Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell officially made her choice known April 11, opting to continue her basketball career at Lenoir-Rhyne University. With Trammell is Bears assistant coach Mikayla Ray (left) and head coach Graham Smith. Hickory – Desta Trammell will play on.

All Smoky Mountain senior Bailey Cloer (8) could do was watch as outfielders madly attempted to field a ball driven to the outer reaches by Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips. Phillips doubled on the second-inning drive and recorded her Knights-leading fifth triple at Andrews on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Bentley Riggs/Contributing Photographer

‘Re-build’ ahead of schedule

Kevin Hensley

Friday, April 21, 2023

Robbinsville – This was supposed to be the rebuilding year. The Lady Knights graduated eight seniors (six of which started) and had just two when the season began – Kensley Phillips and Fala Welch. Both combined for exactly one at-bat in 2022. Sure, the core threats were still on the roster.