Murphy

Teammates mob Robbinsville Middle School's Mercy Nelms (center) on Dec. 4, moments after Nelms hit a three-pointer at the final buzzer to cement a 42-34 home victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Teammates mob Robbinsville Middle School's Mercy Nelms (center) on Dec. 4, moments after Nelms hit a three-pointer at the final buzzer to cement a 42-34 home victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle schoolers sweep opposition

Robbinsville – Things are clicking at the right time for the middle school basketball program.
Micah York had a breakout performance Tuesday against Murphy, dropping 22 points in Robbinsville’s lopsided victory over the Bulldogs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Micah York had a breakout performance Tuesday against Murphy, dropping 22 points in Robbinsville’s lopsided victory over the Bulldogs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights claim back-to-back wins

Robbinsville – After submitting a shaky showing in its season debut Nov. 3, the middle school Black Knights have more than made up for its initial foray into the 2025-26 slate. Consecutive wins from Robbinsville (2-1) included a delayed 50-23 home trouncing of the Murphy Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Robbinsville's McKynlee Adams splits the defense of Hayesville's Ayden Margo (24) and Kaelyn Cook (2) during Monday's season opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's McKynlee Adams splits the defense of Hayesville's Ayden Margo (24) and Kaelyn Cook (2) during Monday's season opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school basketball drops season openers

Robbinsville – Things just did not click for the Knights on Monday.
Bass Woods scored the final touchdown of the Robbinsville PeeWees’ season and recorded a pair of conversion runs in Saturday's Cracker Bowl game against Franklin. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Bass Woods scored the final touchdown of the Robbinsville PeeWees’ season and recorded a pair of conversion runs in Saturday's Cracker Bowl game against Franklin. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Robbinsville PeeWees, Midgets fall in Cracker Bowl

Cherokee – Two Robbinsville teams qualified for the annual Smokey Mountain Youth Conference Cracker Bowl. But in an unusual occurrence, the Black Knights returned home empty-handed. The Robbinsville PeeWees (No. 1, 9-1) were upset by the No.
Kasen Buchanan (55) sacks Murphy quarterback Brady Grant to end the first half of action Friday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kasen Buchanan (55) sacks Murphy quarterback Brady Grant to end the first half of action Friday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Clash of the titans

The box score from Oct. 10, 2025's game between Robbinsville and Murphy. Murphy – It was a low-scoring game, in which both teams gained 15 first downs and one program ended up with just one offensive yard more than the other.

JVs blanked in season finale

Braylen Phillips (3) wraps up Murphy's John Parker Watson en route to a sack during Sept. 29's JV season finale. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
Prior to Tuesday's varsity match against Swain County, Robbinsville High School volleyball recognized its lone senior: Ryn Hooper. With Hooper is assistant coach Kensley Hamilton (left) and head coach Kadey Jones. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday's varsity match against Swain County, Robbinsville High School volleyball recognized its lone senior: Ryn Hooper. With Hooper is assistant coach Kensley Hamilton (left) and head coach Kadey Jones. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights drop conference matches

Jayden Chekelelee sets the ball during Sept. 25’s JV match at Murphy. Robbinsville – As teams in the Smoky Mountain Conference jockey for a playoff spot, the Lady Knights recently dropped a pair of pivotal matches in the race. A visit to Murphy on Sept.
Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

SMC football: Not for the weak of heart

There's a reason a mention of Smoky Mountain Conference football sends shivers down the spines of opponents far and wide – the reputation of the division speaks for itself.
Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville handles Dogs in league opener

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' initial sampling of what the Smoky Mountain Conference has to offer this season was quite the thriller. Tuesday's divisional opener brought Murphy (2-1, 1-1) to town, in a match that stayed close throughout the duration.
Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley discusses strategy with his players during a timeout at Monday's scrimmage against Murphy. Robbinsville finished its summer with 18 exhibitions under its belt. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley discusses strategy with his players during a timeout at Monday's scrimmage against Murphy. Robbinsville finished its summer with 18 exhibitions under its belt. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Practice makes perfect

Robbinsville – If Monday's exhibitions are any indication, another Smoky Mountain Conference title could very well be in the immediate future of Black Knights basketball. Hosting Murphy and Andrews for a pair of scrimmages, Robbinsville went through its playbook with a roster of 10 at its disposal.