LadyKnights

Robbinsville Middle’s Cameron Allison glides to the basket during home action Nov. 17 against Hayesville. Four days later, Allison was seriously injured at Swain County, when a Maroon Devils player slammed the 13-year-old to the floor late in the game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle’s Cameron Allison glides to the basket during home action Nov. 17 against Hayesville. Four days later, Allison was seriously injured at Swain County, when a Maroon Devils player slammed the 13-year-old to the floor late in the game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Troubling incident leads to game ending early

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
Bryson City – It has to be one of every parent’s worst nightmares: you witness your child being attacked, and you can’t get there in time to stop it.
Eli Lambert (second from right) is greeted cheerfully by his teammates Nov. 17, moments after he drained a 3-pointer at the final buzzer to stamp Robbinsville Middle School’s 45-27 win over Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Eli Lambert (second from right) is greeted cheerfully by his teammates Nov. 17, moments after he drained a 3-pointer at the final buzzer to stamp Robbinsville Middle School’s 45-27 win over Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville continues perfect run at home

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Simply put, the middle-school Black Knights shine on their home court. Robbinsville (3-1) came to life after halftime Nov. 17’s tilt against Hayesville, dropping 31 across the final two quarters in a 45-27 stifling of the Jackets.
Surrounded by a flock of Eagles, Xamuel Wachacha soars toward the basket during the Nov. 3 season opener against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Surrounded by a flock of Eagles, Xamuel Wachacha soars toward the basket during the Nov. 3 season opener against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Not 1 or 2, but 3x the excitement

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Robbinsville – It took three extra periods, but the Knights got the job done. The Robbinsville Middle School boys carved out their second win of the season in exhausting fashion, using an 9-0 shutout in a third overtime session to best Andrews 49-40 on Nov. 10.
An exhausted Jacob Teesateskie glances at his raucous teammates Tuesday, as Madison’s Mason Clubb lays despondent on the mat. Teesateskie had just scored a takedown to prevail 7-5 in overtime against Clubb. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

An exhausted Jacob Teesateskie glances at his raucous teammates Tuesday, as Madison’s Mason Clubb lays despondent on the mat. Teesateskie had just scored a takedown to prevail 7-5 in overtime against Clubb. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights handle business in opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Snowbird – The one advantage Robbinsville usually has against opponents is its ability to fill out all 14 weight classes. It doesn’t hurt that finesse and talent are found across the roster, either.
Robbinsville seniors Brock Adams (left) and Kensley Phillips were recently named as the school’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship winners. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville seniors Brock Adams (left) and Kensley Phillips were recently named as the school’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship winners. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Success pays off

News Staff
Friday, November 11, 2022
Robbinsville – A pair of Black Knight seniors were recently awarded for their academic and athletic endeavors. Brock Adams and Kensley Phillips were selected last week as Robbinsville’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship recipients.
Zayleigh Chekeleelee outpaces the pursuit of Hiwassee Dam/Ranger defenders for a lay-up during the Nov. 3 season opener. Chekeleelee led the Lady Knights with a 10-point afternoon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zayleigh Chekeleelee outpaces the pursuit of Hiwassee Dam/Ranger defenders for a lay-up during the Nov. 3 season opener. Chekeleelee led the Lady Knights with a 10-point afternoon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school hoops tips off

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 11, 2022
Robbinsville – It might be a few more weeks before the high school Knights begin their latest basketball season, but the next generation of varsity superstars tipped their year off Nov. 3.
Robbinsville senior Kensley Phillips fires a shot toward a pair of Smoky Mountain defenders in a Sept. 19 road match. Phillips has been named the Co-Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Kensley Phillips fires a shot toward a pair of Smoky Mountain defenders in a Sept. 19 road match. Phillips has been named the Co-Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Phillips named Conference Player of the Year

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Robbinsville – For the first time in her career, Kensley Phillips has been named the Player of the Year. For the second time in her coaching career, Kadey Phillips has been named the Coach of the Year.
Offers from two SEC schools speaks volumes about the softball acumen of Robbinsville junior Zoie Shuler. Ultimately, she announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee on Oct. 26. Photos courtesy of Kate Luffman/University of Tennessee Athletics

Offers from two SEC schools speaks volumes about the softball acumen of Robbinsville junior Zoie Shuler. Ultimately, she announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee on Oct. 26. Photos courtesy of Kate Luffman/University of Tennessee Athletics

Volunteering her services

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Robbinsville – In retrospect, the decision was made long ago. As a Graham County native, Zoie Shuler grew up just on the other side of the mountain from Knoxville, so a love for the Tennessee Volunteers almost came as a birthright.
Head coach Kadey Phillips strategizes with the Lady Knights during a fifth-set timeout Tuesday, in the second round of the state playoffs at Highland Tech. Robbinsville fell to the No. 4-seeded Lady Rams, ending its season with 17 wins. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Head coach Kadey Phillips strategizes with the Lady Knights during a fifth-set timeout Tuesday, in the second round of the state playoffs at Highland Tech. Robbinsville fell to the No. 4-seeded Lady Rams, ending its season with 17 wins. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville falls in 2nd round heartbreaker

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Gastonia – One of the Lady Knights’ Achilles heels reared its ugly head Tuesday. Robbinsville (No. 13 seed, 17-9) opened up a 2-0 lead in the second round of the state playoffs at Highland Tech (No. 4, 21-3).