LadyKnights

The 2020-21 Robbinsville High School cross-country team consists of (from left): Sully Shanahan, Zeb Stewart, William Cable, Ava Barlow, Xander Wachacha, Phoenix Brooks and Hayden Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The 2020-21 Robbinsville High School cross-country team consists of (from left): Sully Shanahan, Zeb Stewart, William Cable, Ava Barlow, Xander Wachacha, Phoenix Brooks and Hayden Stewart. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights off to the races

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 19, 2020
* Robbinsville cross-country season preview Robbinsville – No excuses here. When the Robbinsville High School cross-country program hits the course for its first meet after press time Wednesday, the Knights will return just one girl and six boys from last year’s campaign.
The 2020-21 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row): Gabby Hooper (left) and Karcee Dooley. Standing in back (from left) are Aubrie Wachacha, Kelsey Waldroup, Dallas Garrett, Yeika Jimenez, head coach Kadey Phillips, Kensley Phillips, Ivy Odom and Ally Ayers. Not pictured are Halee Anderson, Delaney Brooms and assistant coach Dede Brooms. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The 2020-21 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row): Gabby Hooper (left) and Karcee Dooley. Standing in back (from left) are Aubrie Wachacha, Kelsey Waldroup, Dallas Garrett, Yeika Jimenez, head coach Kadey Phillips, Kensley Phillips, Ivy Odom and Ally Ayers. Not pictured are Halee Anderson, Delaney Brooms and assistant coach Dede Brooms. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights ready to joust

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 12, 2020
* Robbinsville volleyball season preview It was a year unlike any other.
Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spectators limited for fall sports

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Raleigh – An Oct. 15 announcement from the N.C. High School Athletic Association confirmed what many had feared: sports will begin next month, but crowds will be sparse. In the release, the association maintained its desire to mirror both advice from the N.C.

State increases number of meets for runners

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Raleigh – If running is your main prerogative in high school athletics, you now have four more chances to showcase your stamina. The N.C. High School Athletic Association issued a press release Tuesday afternoon, indicating that a Sept.
“The Rock” – an indoor softball facility – cannot be located on a map, but you can pinpoint much of Robbinsville’s success on the diamond to the hours spent putting in reps at the building. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

“The Rock” – an indoor softball facility – cannot be located on a map, but you can pinpoint much of Robbinsville’s success on the diamond to the hours spent putting in reps at the building. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Secret to success

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Robbinsville – If you want to trace the recent uptick in success for Lady Knights’ softball, it all starts downtown. For the past 2 ½ years, Brian “Petey” Millsaps has operated “The Rock,” an indoor softball facility.
How the 2020-21 calendar will look for Robbinsville athletics, barring more changes. Graphic by Tina Sheldon/The Graham Star

How the 2020-21 calendar will look for Robbinsville athletics, barring more changes. Graphic by Tina Sheldon/The Graham Star

Taking the good with the bad

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Que Tucker’s announcement was music to athletes’ ears. After months of speculation, the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s commissioner presented during a Aug. 12 press conference a proposed sports calendar for the 2020-21 school year.
Judy Nichols Memorial Field – home of the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights – was set to host a team that very well could have contended for a state championship this season. New seating was installed behind home plate and improvements were made field-wide in preparation for the year, but the cancelation of the remainder of the school year is going to leave seniors school-wide wondering, “What if?" Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Judy Nichols Memorial Field – home of the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights – was set to host a team that very well could have contended for a state championship this season. New seating was installed behind home plate and improvements were made field-wide in preparation for the year, but the cancelation of the remainder of the school year is going to leave seniors school-wide wondering, “What if?" Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spring sports season cancelled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Following the statewide closure of K-12 public schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 year Friday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association quickly made a difficult decision.
With Gracye Burchfield (right) backing her up, Robbinsville's Gabby Hooper eyes a putout during Monday’s season-opening victory at Copper Basin.

With Gracye Burchfield (right) backing her up, Robbinsville's Gabby Hooper eyes a putout during Monday’s season-opening victory at Copper Basin.

Picking up where they left off

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Copperhill, Tenn. – Talk about starting the year on the right foot. Robbinsville (1-0, 1-0) traveled across state lines Monday to begin its state-title quest at Copper Basin.

All good things must come to an end

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Pilot Mountain – If not for a lethargic second quarter, Robbinsville very well could have advanced to the third round of the state playoffs. But the Lady Knights (No. 13 seed, 22-7) ran into offensive trouble at East Surry (No. 4 seed, 20-6) on Feb.