LadyKnights

Robbinsville Middle School’s Daphne Barlow (second from right) is mobbed by teammates Kynadee Spencer, Khaygen Buchanan and Dreylee Webster (from left) after her walk-off hit May 11 against Cherokee, which lifted Robbinsville to a 2-1 victory in the season finale. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School’s Daphne Barlow (second from right) is mobbed by teammates Kynadee Spencer, Khaygen Buchanan and Dreylee Webster (from left) after her walk-off hit May 11 against Cherokee, which lifted Robbinsville to a 2-1 victory in the season finale. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Future stars shine bright

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Robbinsville – After the first inning of the May 11 season finale, the middle school Lady Knights and Cherokee were tied 1-1. By the bottom of the seventh, the game was stuck in the same deadlock.
On this attempt, Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler broke the 1A state record in the triple jump, setting a new standard of 39 feet, 9 ¼ inches at Saturday’s championship meet in Greensboro. It was her second state championship of the day. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

On this attempt, Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler broke the 1A state record in the triple jump, setting a new standard of 39 feet, 9 ¼ inches at Saturday’s championship meet in Greensboro. It was her second state championship of the day. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

2 competitors; 4 titles

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Greensboro – One successfully defended his crown, while another fully redeemed a pair of second-place finishes from 2021. Black Knights junior Brock Adams and Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler dominated their individual events at the N.C.
Robbinsville sophomore Zoie Shuler broke the 1A state record in the triple jump Saturday, capturing her second state championship of the afternoon in the process. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville sophomore Zoie Shuler broke the 1A state record in the triple jump Saturday, capturing her second state championship of the afternoon in the process. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

2 competitors, 4 titles

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Greensboro – One successfully defended his crown, while another fully redeemed a pair of second-place finishes from 2021. Black Knights junior Brock Adams and Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler dominated their individual events at Saturday's N.C.
Brock Adams outpaced the competition in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional Track Meet in Connelly Springs, clinching the championship in both events. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams outpaced the competition in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional Track Meet in Connelly Springs, clinching the championship in both events. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Next stop: State

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Connelly Springs – Another meet, another strong showing for Robbinsville. What is becoming an industry standard panned out again at the 1A Western Regional Championship on Saturday, which was held at East Burke High School.
Senior Brook Turpin (left) beats out a play at first during Tuesday’s loss to South Stokes. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Senior Brook Turpin (left) beats out a play at first during Tuesday’s loss to South Stokes. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights eliminated in 3rd round

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights entered Tuesday’s third-round playoff match-up against South Stokes with one thing in mind: revenge.
Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (seated, center) signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan on May 5. Sitting with Jimenez is Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs head coach Jeff Rice (left) and Robbinsville Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford. Standing in back (from left) are brother Carson Lovin, sister Cambrie Lovin, legal guardians Brandon and Haley Lovin, and brother Luke Lovin.

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (seated, center) signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan on May 5. Sitting with Jimenez is Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs head coach Jeff Rice (left) and Robbinsville Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford. Standing in back (from left) are brother Carson Lovin, sister Cambrie Lovin, legal guardians Brandon and Haley Lovin, and brother Luke Lovin.

Biting into collegiate competition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights’ prolific power forward will carry her talents to the next level. Yeika Jimenez officially committed to play college basketball for the Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs – an Athens, Tenn.
Middle school Lady Knight Anna Williams prepares to drive the ball May 3 against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Williams unleashed a 3-run homer Friday, aiding Robbinsville immensely in a 20-6 drubbing of the previously-unbeaten Cherokee Lady Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Lady Knight Anna Williams prepares to drive the ball May 3 against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Williams unleashed a 3-run homer Friday, aiding Robbinsville immensely in a 20-6 drubbing of the previously-unbeaten Cherokee Lady Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights pepper Cherokee

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Cherokee – The Braves never knew what hit them. Robbinsville made the trip to Cherokee for a middle school baseball and softball tilt Friday, with both the Black Knights and Lady Knights etching respective 11-8 and 20-6 wins.
Zoie Shuler (left) and Brock Adams were named the respective Smoky Mountain Conference Most Outstanding Track and Field Girls and Boys Athlete at the conclusion of May 4’s championship meet in Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zoie Shuler (left) and Brock Adams were named the respective Smoky Mountain Conference Most Outstanding Track and Field Girls and Boys Athlete at the conclusion of May 4’s championship meet in Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Elite performers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Cherokee – At the end of May 4’s Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet, it was a foregone conclusion who would be named the Most Outstanding athletes of the competition.
After May 5’s regular-season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville softball program recognized its eight seniors. All names are listed from left. Front row: Sarah Gibby, Baylee Parham, Aynsley Fink and Brook Turpin. Back row: Halee Anderson, Ally Ayers, Patience Frapp and Ivy Odom. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After May 5’s regular-season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville softball program recognized its eight seniors. All names are listed from left. Front row: Sarah Gibby, Baylee Parham, Aynsley Fink and Brook Turpin. Back row: Halee Anderson, Ally Ayers, Patience Frapp and Ivy Odom. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights conquer Vikings

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – Avery County became the Lady Knights’ next victim Tuesday. That’s about all you can say about a dominant 10-0 Robbinsville win in the first round of the state playoffs, as the No.
After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights looking to finish strong

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County’s middle school baseball and softball programs ended the home portion of their season in strong fashion.