Murphy

Jeb Shuler, Drey Keener, Nathan Collins and Eddie Brooms (from left) could not contain their excitement after Robbinsville bested Murphy in a 62-60 overtime thriller Tuesday night. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Jeb Shuler, Drey Keener, Nathan Collins and Eddie Brooms (from left) could not contain their excitement after Robbinsville bested Murphy in a 62-60 overtime thriller Tuesday night. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Roll with the changes

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 29, 2021
Robbinsville – It’s official: the Smoky Mountain Conference has been put on notice. The Robbinsville Black Knights have grown weary of cellar-dwelling in the division and are changing the narrative.
In the moments following Robbinsville’s 67-53 win over Murphy on Tuesday night, it was tough for the Lady Knights to know exactly which camera to look at, as multiple sources attempted to capture the first post-game memory of the victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

In the moments following Robbinsville’s 67-53 win over Murphy on Tuesday night, it was tough for the Lady Knights to know exactly which camera to look at, as multiple sources attempted to capture the first post-game memory of the victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The streak stops here

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 29, 2021
Robbinsville – It had been two years, 26 consecutive division wins and 42 regular-season wins in a row since the Murphy Lady Bulldogs had fallen. But long after the Bulldogs suffered a 34-29 road loss at the hands of Hayesville on Jan. 10, 2019, Robbinsville eyed redemption.
Kylie Farley, Ivy Odom, Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle, Kelsey Waldroup and Abbi Sawyer (from left) celebrate a Sawyer ace during Jan. 7's season finale at Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Kylie Farley, Ivy Odom, Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle, Kelsey Waldroup and Abbi Sawyer (from left) celebrate a Sawyer ace during Jan. 7's season finale at Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

End of the road

Kevin Hensley
Monday, January 18, 2021
Murphy – Instead of preparing for a playoff game, Robbinsville is saying goodbye to its 2020-21 volleyball season. For the first time since 2011, the Lady Knights (10-4, 8-4) will not be participating in the postseason, as the N.C.
Kensley Phillips shows off her vertical prowess while rising for the kill Monday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Kensley Phillips shows off her vertical prowess while rising for the kill Monday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Sweeps week

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 7, 2021
It’s crunch time for the Robbinsville Lady Knights.
Yeika Jimenez launches for a hit past a pair of Rosman defenders during Tuesday’s road conference match. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Yeika Jimenez launches for a hit past a pair of Rosman defenders during Tuesday’s road conference match. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights chasing wild card playoff seed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Rosman – A chance for redemption awaited Robbinsville. But so much more was on the line.

Local man dies after Cherokee County crash

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Murphy – A Robbinsville man has died from injuries sustained in a four-vehicle collision on Old Ranger Road in Murphy.  The death of 56-year-old Robbinsville resident Kenneth Blevins was confirmed by the N.C. Highway Patrol. Blevins succumbed to injuries sustained in the Dec. 17 crash at 7:33 a.m.

Eyes on the prize

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 28, 2020
Nantahala – In pre-COVID times, a 2-loss volleyball team from the Smoky Mountain Conference was all but guaranteed a spot in the 1A state playoffs. However, as the virus has altered the way high school athletics are being conducted this year, that guarantee has been kissed goodbye.

Clash of the Champions

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Robbinsville – Fresh off a four-set, comeback victory at Swain County on Dec. 4, the Lady Knights seemed to have all the momentum needed to prevail.
K-9 Bowie poses with his findings after Saturday’s stop on the Cherohala Skyway. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

K-9 Bowie poses with his findings after Saturday’s stop on the Cherohala Skyway. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Traffic stop leads to meth bust

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Cherohala – A pair of Cherokee County residents learned the hard way late Saturday night that you do not ignore Graham County’s ID checkpoints.