Murphy

Cameron Allison (4) had other plans for Peyton Baine's pass to Brodie Betts (11), making a mid-air denial by roping in his second interception of the game Monday at Murphy. Allison's pick transitioned into Robbinsville scoring the game-clinching touchdown. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cameron Allison (4) had other plans for Peyton Baine's pass to Brodie Betts (11), making a mid-air denial by roping in his second interception of the game Monday at Murphy. Allison's pick transitioned into Robbinsville scoring the game-clinching touchdown. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

JV Black Knights ready for primetime

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Murphy – The message was pounded into Robbinsville’s head time and time again, as the activity bus rolled down U.S. 129 South: win.
Cameron Allison ran wild on defense for the Black Knights during Sept. 5’s Smoky Mountain Conference opener at Cherokee, scoring on an interception and punt return in Robbinsville’s trouncing of the Braves. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cameron Allison ran wild on defense for the Black Knights during Sept. 5’s Smoky Mountain Conference opener at Cherokee, scoring on an interception and punt return in Robbinsville’s trouncing of the Braves. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

JV Black Knights run wild

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Cherokee – Three defensive touchdowns, two scoring receptions and a 56-yard rush to the end zone.  No, the JV Robbinsville Black Knights (3-0) did not have the cheat codes turned on when they stepped off the bus at Cherokee on Sept.
It was smiles all around for Robbinsville volleyball Saturday, as the Lady Knights swept the field clean in a tournament at Chase High School. Counting Tuesday’s win over Murphy, Robbinsville has won 14 straight sets. From left are Suri Watty, Daphne Barlow, Khaygen Buchanan, Chloe Adams, Olivia Lewis (in back), Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter and Ryn Hooper. Photo courtesy of RHS Volleyball

It was smiles all around for Robbinsville volleyball Saturday, as the Lady Knights swept the field clean in a tournament at Chase High School. Counting Tuesday’s win over Murphy, Robbinsville has won 14 straight sets. From left are Suri Watty, Daphne Barlow, Khaygen Buchanan, Chloe Adams, Olivia Lewis (in back), Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter and Ryn Hooper. Photo courtesy of RHS Volleyball

Showing up and showing out

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 29, 2024
A sleeping giant has been inadvertently awoken. Down 2-0 in an Aug. 22 road match at Asheville, the Lady Knights made some adjustments between sets two and three – simply hoping to keep the contest alive.
After clinching a trip to the Elite 8 on Monday, the Lady Knights gathered in right field to celebrate the moment. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After clinching a trip to the Elite 8 on Monday, the Lady Knights gathered in right field to celebrate the moment. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Still dancin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Senior Memory Frapp begins her delivery in the second round of the state playoffs Friday against Murphy. Frapp has not lost a decision this year and is closing in on 400 career strikeouts.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights capped an unblemished 13-0 season by downing Cherokee 16-5 on Monday to win the conference title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Coats, Khaygen Buchanan, Loxley Burke, Daphne Barlow, Kynadee Spencer, Lexie Williams and Zeyli Williams. Back row: Assistant coach Lauren Silvers, Natalee Myers, Mylee Webster, Lakin Orr, Alyssa Bohn, Ella Nelms, Jayden Chekeleelee, Myah Winfrey and head coach Anna Stewart.

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights capped an unblemished 13-0 season by downing Cherokee 16-5 on Monday to win the conference title game. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Coats, Khaygen Buchanan, Loxley Burke, Daphne Barlow, Kynadee Spencer, Lexie Williams and Zeyli Williams. Back row: Assistant coach Lauren Silvers, Natalee Myers, Mylee Webster, Lakin Orr, Alyssa Bohn, Ella Nelms, Jayden Chekeleelee, Myah Winfrey and head coach Anna Stewart.

2 for the price of 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Hiwassee Dam – For one team, the championship was a foregone conclusion. For the other, it was a first. Robbinsville Middle School shipped both its baseball and softball teams to Hiwassee Dam on Monday to play in their respective de facto Smoky Mountain Conference title games.

One for the road

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 10, 2024
Thirteen years. Robbinsville can wait one more day. Heavy rainfall across the state Monday flooded the field that was set to host the Black Knights’ first postseason game since 2011.
Although the Robbinsville Lady Knights wrapped up their 16th Smoky Mountain Conference title one day prior, the players wanted to signify their 7th-straight divisional crown by gathering in the outfield moments after sweeping the regular-season series against Murphy on May 2. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Although the Robbinsville Lady Knights wrapped up their 16th Smoky Mountain Conference title one day prior, the players wanted to signify their 7th-straight divisional crown by gathering in the outfield moments after sweeping the regular-season series against Murphy on May 2. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

16x champs

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 10, 2024
Robbinsville – Dating back to 1981, the Lady Knights have now finished atop the Smoky Mountain Conference standings a whopping 16 times – including laying claim to the last seven in a row.
Sophomore guard Suri Watty (right) keeps a watchful eye on the outside antics of Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams during Tuesday’s loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sophomore guard Suri Watty (right) keeps a watchful eye on the outside antics of Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams during Tuesday’s loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Inconsistency dooms Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Cherokee – If the Lady Knights can get into a full-game groove, look out. Flashes of the potential Robbinsville (No. 3 seed, 16-8) has still yet to tap into were on display in the first quarter of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament pairing against Hayesville (No. 2, 20-5).
All Murphy’s Ryan Payne (11) could do was look on in awe of Robbinsville junior Darion Ledbetter making this reverse layup look easy during Tuesday’s nightcap with the Bulldogs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

All Murphy’s Ryan Payne (11) could do was look on in awe of Robbinsville junior Darion Ledbetter making this reverse layup look easy during Tuesday’s nightcap with the Bulldogs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

No Knights off: Boys division taking shape

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville’s Everett Taylor delivers a side heave in JV action Jan. 25 against Hiwassee Dam. Robbinsville – To repeat as the Smoky Mountain Conference champions, the Black Knights will have to make sure not to fall susceptible to the perils of the road.
Junior guard Claire Barlow fearlessly drives through four Hiwassee Dam defenders – Katie McNabb, Brinkley Payne, Olivia McNabb and Sky Taylor (from left) – in the second half of Jan. 25’s home game with the Eagles. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Junior guard Claire Barlow fearlessly drives through four Hiwassee Dam defenders – Katie McNabb, Brinkley Payne, Olivia McNabb and Sky Taylor (from left) – in the second half of Jan. 25’s home game with the Eagles. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Reclaiming their yard: girls end home skid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville – Completing the season sweep over a fierce conference rival helped the Lady Knights end the week with a feather in their cap.