LadyKnights

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

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
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.
Amid heavy pressure from Swain County, Quinn Jumper eyes the bucket during a loss to the Maroon Devils on Feb. 11. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Amid heavy pressure from Swain County, Quinn Jumper eyes the bucket during a loss to the Maroon Devils on Feb. 11. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Dreams dashed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Robbinsville – Hopes of another conference title for Robbinsville’s middle school boys basketball squad were swiftly erased on Feb. 11. The Black Knights (9-2) fell behind early against Swain and were unable to rally, dropping a 46-43 game to the Maroon Devils.
Yeika Jimenez had a team-high 16 points in the Lady Knights’ 55-38 win over Swain on Friday. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Yeika Jimenez had a team-high 16 points in the Lady Knights’ 55-38 win over Swain on Friday. Photo by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

On the cusp of glory

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
  Andrews – Every win this season has came down to this.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Roman Jones eyes a basket during a home game against Murphy on Jan. 25. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School’s Roman Jones eyes a basket during a home game against Murphy on Jan. 25. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

And down the stretch they come!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Rosman – Who is going to stop the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights? Road victories over the last week at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Hayesville and Rosman have everyone in the Smoky Mountain Conference asking that question.
Though exhausted, Robbinsville’s Gabby Hooper (3) begins to applaud the Lady Knights’ effort after a 77-70, triple-overtime triumph over Cherokee Lady Braves. Greeting Hooper is Kensley Phillips; Yeika Jimenez (20) is not far behind beginning the celebration. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Though exhausted, Robbinsville’s Gabby Hooper (3) begins to applaud the Lady Knights’ effort after a 77-70, triple-overtime triumph over Cherokee Lady Braves. Greeting Hooper is Kensley Phillips; Yeika Jimenez (20) is not far behind beginning the celebration. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Triple threat

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Robbinsville – For a moment, it appeared the limited audience gathered inside the Robbinsville High School gymnasium Tuesday night might get two games for the price of one. In a manner of speaking.
Gabby Hooper cuts around Rosman’s Alissa Cheek on a drive to the basket Friday at Rosman. Hooper finished the game with 15 points. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Gabby Hooper cuts around Rosman’s Alissa Cheek on a drive to the basket Friday at Rosman. Hooper finished the game with 15 points. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Tigers tamed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Rosman – ‘It’s always tough to beat an opponent twice in the same season’ is an oft-quoted mantra associated with conference match-ups. But as the Robbinsville Lady Knights begin to work through the second-half of the 2021 slate, the wins keep piling up.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Bryce Adams puts up a floater during a home game with Murphy on Jan. 25. Adams dropped 30 points on the Swain County Maroon Devils in the Knights’ 68-62 road win on Jan. 27. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School’s Bryce Adams puts up a floater during a home game with Murphy on Jan. 25. Adams dropped 30 points on the Swain County Maroon Devils in the Knights’ 68-62 road win on Jan. 27. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

All they do is win, win, win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Bryson City – A come-from-behind victory showed future Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights opponents that the task ahead is arduous.