LadyKnights

With Halee Anderson backing her up, senior Aynsley Fink fires in a throw from right-center field Monday at Hiwassee Dam. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With Halee Anderson backing her up, senior Aynsley Fink fires in a throw from right-center field Monday at Hiwassee Dam. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Championship monopoly

Hiwassee Dam – If you are keeping track at home, that’s one goal down and two to go. The Robbinsville Lady Knights confirmed their dominance over the Smoky Mountain Conference on Monday, adding the program’s fifth-straight divisional title with a 7-3 win at Hiwassee Dam.
Zoie Shuler (left) and Ivy Odom show off their trophies on April 20 after the duo launched a combined three home runs at Cherokee. As of Monday, Shuler has hit six long balls this season, while Odom has five. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Zoie Shuler (left) and Ivy Odom show off their trophies on April 20 after the duo launched a combined three home runs at Cherokee. As of Monday, Shuler has hit six long balls this season, while Odom has five. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Going, going, gone!

Cherokee – No matter the opposition, there seems to be no cure for Robbinsville’s hot bats. Despite not playing a conference game in 13 days, the Lady Knights picked right up where they left off in divisional action April 20, walloping Cherokee in a road game, 10-1.
Patience (left) and Memory Frapp made up the Robbinsville battery April 13, in a 7-1 win over Copper Basin. The game was played at Young Harris College. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Patience (left) and Memory Frapp made up the Robbinsville battery April 13, in a 7-1 win over Copper Basin. The game was played at Young Harris College. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sister, sister

Young Harris, Ga. – Any fan of Lady Knights softball has undoubtedly watched the familiar duo of Patience and Memory Frapp grow into impactful parts of the program over the last two years.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights and the Enka Sugar Jets gathered to commemorate the opportunity to play at the Catamount Softball Complex on Monday. Enka would prevail in six innings, 11-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights and the Enka Sugar Jets gathered to commemorate the opportunity to play at the Catamount Softball Complex on Monday. Enka would prevail in six innings, 11-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bigger picture

Cullowhee – With the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly in the rearview mirror, Robbinsville skipper Billy Knight deemed it time to revive what was once a yearly tradition.
Robbinsville Middle School catcher Dreylee Webster applies the tag to a Swain County runner Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School catcher Dreylee Webster applies the tag to a Swain County runner Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights fall to Swain

Robbinsville – The only team to disrupt an otherwise-perfect season for the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights has been Swain County.
Robbinsville senior Sarah Gibby became the latest Lady Knight to smash a home run this season Fridday. Her career first at Swain County was a memorable one: a grand slam in the top of the third. Gibby finished the day with six RBIs, as the Lady Knights prevailed 14-1. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville High School Softball

Robbinsville senior Sarah Gibby became the latest Lady Knight to smash a home run this season Fridday. Her career first at Swain County was a memorable one: a grand slam in the top of the third. Gibby finished the day with six RBIs, as the Lady Knights prevailed 14-1. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville High School Softball

Grand Gibby

Bryson City – In a season where one team has already posted 11 home runs through its first 10 games, it is certainly a tall ask for someone to stand out from the pack. But Sarah Gibby cracked that code Friday.
In a cloud of dust, middle school Lady Knight Daphne Barlow slides under the tag during Tuesday’s road loss to Swain County. Photo courtesy of Tyffany Hicks/Contributing Photographer

In a cloud of dust, middle school Lady Knight Daphne Barlow slides under the tag during Tuesday’s road loss to Swain County. Photo courtesy of Tyffany Hicks/Contributing Photographer

1 win, 1 loss

Martins Creek – It took a few games to bring it all together, but the middle school Black Knights finally moved into the win column Friday. In a road trip to Martins Creek, Robbinsville (1-3) knocked off the Hornets 5-2, thanks in part to a well-rounded afternoon from Rylen Orr.
Robbinsville continues to pulverize the ball, with three Lady Knights launching long balls Monday at Hayesville. From left are Halee Anderson, Patience Frapp – who hit two – and Memory Frapp. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe

Robbinsville continues to pulverize the ball, with three Lady Knights launching long balls Monday at Hayesville. From left are Halee Anderson, Patience Frapp – who hit two – and Memory Frapp. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe

Breakin’ stitches

Hayesville – Four home runs and a no-hitter. In a season where Robbinsville has a team average of .420 – while one pitcher has a 1.33 ERA and 50 strikeouts – Monday’s blowout at Hayesville (2-3, 0-3) should come as no surprise.
Robbinsville’s Yeika Jimenez was named the 1A West/Midwest Girls All-Star Game MVP, following her performance in Saturday’s exhibition at Highlands School. Presenting Jimenez with her award is (from left) Greg Grantham, executive director of the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association; Que Tucker, commissioner of the N.C. High School Athletic Association; and Dr. Bud Black, executive director of the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Games. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Yeika Jimenez was named the 1A West/Midwest Girls All-Star Game MVP, following her performance in Saturday’s exhibition at Highlands School. Presenting Jimenez with her award is (from left) Greg Grantham, executive director of the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association; Que Tucker, commissioner of the N.C. High School Athletic Association; and Dr. Bud Black, executive director of the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Games. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hey now, you’re an All-Star

Highlands – For the first time since 2019, the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Games took place. And Robbinsville’s basketball program made sure to leave its mark on the evening, which played out at Highlands School.
Anna Williams looks to turn the second leg of a double play during March 15’s home game against Hayesville. Photo courtesy of Tyffany Hicks/Contributing Photographer

Anna Williams looks to turn the second leg of a double play during March 15’s home game against Hayesville. Photo courtesy of Tyffany Hicks/Contributing Photographer

Lady Knights continue to rake

Tallulah – Much like the varsity squad, the middle school Lady Knights are firing on all cylinders. Robbinsville (3-0) continued its hot start to the season Tuesday, besting Murphy 9-3 at P & J Field. “I am super proud of my girls and how hard they play,” said Knights head coach Anna Stewart.