Murphy

Robbinsville's Peyton Brooks (27) celebrates with teammates Everett Taylor (4) and Rylen Orr after tagging out Murphy's Aayden Williams at the plate April 30, securing the Black Knights' first victory over the Bulldogs since 2019. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Peyton Brooks (27) celebrates with teammates Everett Taylor (4) and Rylen Orr after tagging out Murphy's Aayden Williams at the plate April 30, securing the Black Knights' first victory over the Bulldogs since 2019. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Knights begin playoff run

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – The Black Knights hosted their first playoff game since moving onto Loudon Orr Memorial Field on Tuesday, fanning the North Stokes Vikings 8-0.In just its second postseason appearance since 2011, Robbinsville (No. 6 seed, 10-9) dominated.
Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights clinch No. 1 seed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – It is only fitting that after such a successful season, the Lady Knights have once again been afforded the No. 1 seed in the 1A Western postseason bracket.
Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights tame Cougars

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Simply put, the Knights had a field day when Copper Basin came to town April 23.
Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Queens reign again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Another year, another divisional championship for the Lady Knights.
Xamuel Wachacha (1) attempts to evade the defense of Murphy's Abram Twiggs and shoot a 3-pointer during Feb. 12's Smoky Mountain Conference title game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Xamuel Wachacha (1) attempts to evade the defense of Murphy's Abram Twiggs and shoot a 3-pointer during Feb. 12's Smoky Mountain Conference title game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights upset in tournament semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Murphy – There was little doubt that Feb. 18's semifinal match-up would be a doozy. The first team to hand the Black Knights a conference loss this season was Cherokee. Even though Robbinsville split the series with a Senior Night victory Feb.
Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights fall in tournament quarterfinals

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Bella Coats shoots a foul shot during Feb. 12's junior varsity game at Murphy. Murphy – The Lady Knights entered the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament with vindication in mind. Sadly, the chance for redemption slipped away in the waning seconds of Feb. 17's quarterfinal clash with Andrews (No.
Robbinsville’s Micah York was the Black Knights’ leading scorer in Jan. 12’s season wrap-up: the semifinals of the divisional tournament, which was contested against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Micah York was the Black Knights’ leading scorer in Jan. 12’s season wrap-up: the semifinals of the divisional tournament, which was contested against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights eliminated from middle school tournament

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Andrews – The hopes of adding another year to the championship banners inside the Robbinsville Elementary School gymnasium will have to wait at least one more season.
Senior Abby Wehr (3) manuevers past the outstretched hand of Andrews' Juliet Holloway for a first-half basket attempt Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior Abby Wehr (3) manuevers past the outstretched hand of Andrews' Juliet Holloway for a first-half basket attempt Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights split divisional slate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights pounced on Murphy early in Jan. 22's home appointment and never looked back, going on to down the Lady Bulldogs 53-31. Robbinsville (8-7, 2-4) led 11-5 after the first quarter – though the visitors made things interesting by trimming the deficit to 20-15 at halftime.

Black Knights reign on Cats and Dogs

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Black Knights guard Dane Knott – shown launching a long-range shot Tuesday against Andrews – is averaging 21 points per game this season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.

Bible Study coming to Shepherd of the Mountains

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Murphy – Men, women and teens are invited to participate in a Bible Study based on the book "Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Disease" – plus its study guide, compiled by Dr. Henry W. Wright. The subtitle of both books is “Powerful Answers to your Questions about Healing and Disease Prevention.