LadyKnights

Shining brighter than the diamond

Robbinsville – It’s been a while. But after 22 months without playing an official game on its home field, the Robbinsville varsity softball program has finally gotten back on the diamond. “I’m so thankful for every day that we get to be out here,” said Lady Knights head coach Billy Knight.
Lady Knights sophomore point guard Desta Trammell sprints toward the basket on a fast break during the Feb. 9 triple-overtime victory against Cherokee. Trammell was just named the 2020-21 Big Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore point guard Desta Trammell sprints toward the basket on a fast break during the Feb. 9 triple-overtime victory against Cherokee. Trammell was just named the 2020-21 Big Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pursuing her Destanee

Robbinsville – Take one look at Desta Trammell and it would be easy to dismiss her talent. Basketball is in her blood, but the Robbinsville Lady Knights’ 5-foot-2 sophomore point guard is hardly someone to look past when scanning the roster.
The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

All is right for the Lady Knights

Robbinsville – The 2019 1A Western Regional runner-up started its next season with a 13-4 road victory at Copper Basin, Tenn., on March 9, 2020. Five days later, a global pandemic squashed the Robbinsville Lady Knights’ hopes of another lengthy playoff run.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Dreylee Webster (13) and Sydney Adams have Andrews’ Alaina Flowers caught in a rundown during Tuesday’s road opener against the Lady Wildcats. Adams would tag out Flowers to complete a 2-4-6-5-4 fielder’s choice moments later. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School’s Dreylee Webster (13) and Sydney Adams have Andrews’ Alaina Flowers caught in a rundown during Tuesday’s road opener against the Lady Wildcats. Adams would tag out Flowers to complete a 2-4-6-5-4 fielder’s choice moments later. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights roll in middle school opener

Andrews – At the end of the first inning of Robbinsville Middle School’s season debut Tuesday, the Lady Knights and the hosting Lady Wildcats were tied, 2-2. By the bottom of the second, the tally was 17-2.
Sophomore point guard Brock Adams soars past Cherokee’s Tariq Underwood during Feb. 9’s home match-up with the Braves. Adams was one of four Robbinsville boys named to the All-Conference team. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Sophomore point guard Brock Adams soars past Cherokee’s Tariq Underwood during Feb. 9’s home match-up with the Braves. Adams was one of four Robbinsville boys named to the All-Conference team. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

9 Robbinsville players named All-Conference

Coinciding the conclusion of the 2020-21 basketball season, the Smoky Mountain Conference has released its annual All-Conference list.
Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (right) looks to outpace Murphy’s Kaiya Pickens during Saturday’s third-round playoff matchup. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (right) looks to outpace Murphy’s Kaiya Pickens during Saturday’s third-round playoff matchup. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights fall in sectional final

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights held all the cards: home-court advantage, two wins over their opponent earlier this year and a wave of momentum coming off a huge road victory Feb. 25. But it was not meant to be. Robbinsville (No. 8 seed, 15-2) fell 49-37 to the visiting Murphy Lady Bulldogs (No.

And ... on to Round 2!

Robbinsville – Two Lady Knights hit 10 3’s. The defense took care of the rest. Robbinsville (14-1, No. 8 seed) trounced the visiting Chatham Charter (8-3, No. 9) Lady Knights 78-41, thanks largely to a 33-point game from Desta Trammell and a 15-point night by Kensley Phillips, both sophomores.
Robbinsville's Kensley Phillips (24) and Gabby Hooper (3) kick off the victory celebration as the official signals the end of the Lady Knights' 72-60 comeback win at East Surry on Thursday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Kensley Phillips (24) and Gabby Hooper (3) kick off the victory celebration as the official signals the end of the Lady Knights' 72-60 comeback win at East Surry on Thursday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hit the road for playoffs

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights held all the cards: home-court advantage, two wins over their opponent earlier this year and a wave of momentum, coming off a huge road victory Feb. 25. But it was not meant to be. Robbinsville (No. 8 seed, 15-2) fell 49-37 to the visiting Murphy Lady Bulldogs (No.
Robbinsville Lady Knight players and staff gather to celebrate the program's first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2010, clinched tonight with a 67-50 win at Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Lady Knight players and staff gather to celebrate the program's first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2010, clinched tonight with a 67-50 win at Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Mission accomplished

Murphy – For the first time since 2012, the Robbinsville Lady Knights can add "Smoky Mountain Conference Champions" to their resume.
Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (center, seated) signed her letter of intent to play college softball with Brevard on Monday. Sitting with Hooper are parents Gabe and Crystal Hooper. Standing in back (from left) are brother Loxston Hooper, grandparents Clayton and Lana Hooper, sister Delaney Hooper, grandparents Patricia and Donald Cable, and brother Lleyton Hooper. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (center, seated) signed her letter of intent to play college softball with Brevard on Monday. Sitting with Hooper are parents Gabe and Crystal Hooper. Standing in back (from left) are brother Loxston Hooper, grandparents Clayton and Lana Hooper, sister Delaney Hooper, grandparents Patricia and Donald Cable, and brother Lleyton Hooper. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Putting a new spin on her career

Robbinsville – Make that two Lady Knights in three months that have opted to take their softball talents to the next level. Senior Gabby Hooper put her name on the dotted line with Brevard College on Monday, joining Maggie Knight (Chattanooga State) as Robbinsville’s two signees this school year.