LadyKnights

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips (24) and Halee Anderson apply heavy pressure to Highlands’ Julia Schmitt during Jan. 20’s road victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips (24) and Halee Anderson apply heavy pressure to Highlands’ Julia Schmitt during Jan. 20’s road victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights on 5-game tear

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Set ‘em up; the Lady Knights will knock them down. Robbinsville (11-4, 5-1) has won five in a row, most recently toppling Highlands (8-8) in a Jan. 20 road game 59-29, before thrashing Swain County (6-12, 2-4) at home Tuesday, 61-44.
For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

One title down, two to go

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Bryson City – Another day, another dollar. Another dollar, another conference championship for the Robbinsville wrestling program. For the sixth consecutive season, the Knights sit atop the Smoky Mountain Conference, after knocking off Swain County 48-18 to win the regular-season title Jan.
Junior point guard Desta Trammell scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night against Swain County. Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford presented Trammell with a commemorative ball after the game. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Junior point guard Desta Trammell scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night against Swain County. Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford presented Trammell with a commemorative ball after the game. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Trammell hits 1,000

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – With 2:30 left in the first quarter of Tuesday’s home game against Swain County, Lady Knights junior point guard Desta Trammell dished the ball to classmate and lifelong friend/teammate Kensley Phillips in the corner.
Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez drives past Cherokee’s Erin Rogers for a second-half basket on Jan. 13. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez drives past Cherokee’s Erin Rogers for a second-half basket on Jan. 13. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Just one more hill to climb

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cherokee – There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Cherokee plays physical basketball. However, Robbinsville (9-4, 4-1) persevered in a Jan. 13 road game with the Lady Braves nonetheless, taking its lumps en route to a significant 65-52 win.
Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Home cookin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Robbinsville – After all its travels, the Robbinsville wrestling team finally had a chance to show off its tournament dominance on its home turf.
Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

“The ‘Ville” now ranked No. 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – This far into the 2021-22 season, one question lingers: is there anyone that can stop Robbinsville? The No. 1-ranked team in 1A started its latest tear with a 70-6 victory in the annual “Battle of the Knights” at North Henderson on Jan. 5.
Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Split bill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – Through four Smoky Mountain Conference games this season, the varsity Lady Knights have outscored their opponents 237-133. Behind a 25-point performance from junior point guard Desta Trammell on Friday night, Hayesville rapidly became the latest Robbinsville foe to fall.
Robbinsville senior Aynsley Fink gets her hand raised Dec. 30, after winning the women’s 106-pound bracket at the annual Holy Angels showcase in Charlotte. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville senior Aynsley Fink gets her hand raised Dec. 30, after winning the women’s 106-pound bracket at the annual Holy Angels showcase in Charlotte. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Lady Knight wins national tournament

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Charlotte – There was an unnecessary delay before the inevitable. Aynsley Fink paced the mat back-and-forth, simply awaiting the cue to jog to the middle of the circle, shake hands with her adversary and begin the finals of the 106-pound women’s bracket at the Holy Angels Invitational.
Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips splits a pair of Tellico Plains defenders Dec. 30. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips splits a pair of Tellico Plains defenders Dec. 30. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights right the ship

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Robbinsville – Needless to say, things fell in place for the Lady Knights on Tuesday.