Murphy

With Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen (12) sprinting to cut off the progress, Liz Carpenter breaks toward the home basket during Tuesday’s loss to the Lady Wildcats. Despite Carpenter’s 21-point showing, the Knights suffered their first setback of the season. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

With Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen (12) sprinting to cut off the progress, Liz Carpenter breaks toward the home basket during Tuesday’s loss to the Lady Wildcats. Despite Carpenter’s 21-point showing, the Knights suffered their first setback of the season. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Wildcats stun Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were not prepared for what transpired on their home court Tuesday.
Robbinsville’s Quinn Jumper ducks around Andrews’ Gabe Clark during the Black Knights’ win over the Wildcats on Tuesday. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Quinn Jumper ducks around Andrews’ Gabe Clark during the Black Knights’ win over the Wildcats on Tuesday. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Back in the swing of things

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Robbinsville – Head coach Jake Beasley has seen the best of times and the worst of times for the Black Knights’ varsity program. Right now definitely leans on the “best” side of the fence; perhaps the best Robbinsville has seen in its existence.
Lleyton Hooper applies a half-nelson during Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Jacquline Gayosso/Contributing Photographer

Lleyton Hooper applies a half-nelson during Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Jacquline Gayosso/Contributing Photographer

Dual frenzy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Robbinsville – Six duals in a span of four days would be a grind for most programs. For Robbinsville, it’s business as usual. The Black Knights welcomed schools from across – and outside – the state for Saturday’s inaugural H.O.O.T.
Carsan Snider (22) passes to Micah York late in Robbinsville Middle School’s 63-32, home victory over Swain County on Nov. 30. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Carsan Snider (22) passes to Micah York late in Robbinsville Middle School’s 63-32, home victory over Swain County on Nov. 30. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

We meet again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 8, 2023
Robbinsville Middle School’s boys basketball team has taken care of business in each of its assignments thus far. The closest threat to a blemish came early in the campaign – the second game of the year, to be exact. Robbinsville prevailed 52-44 over Hiwassee Dam/Ranger on Nov.

100 successes

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 8, 2023
Charlotte – Even in the bright lights of the big city, Alexis Panama found a way to stick out. With a 7-4, semifinal decision nod over South Rowan’s Mateo Diaz, Panama achieved career victory No. 100 for Robbinsville.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration of Peyton Brooks’ late-game bucket in Monday’s season opener against Murphy. From left are Peyton Weaver (24), Bam Nelms (11), Landen Eddings, Eli Lambert, Carsan Snider (22) and Xamuel Wachacha (15). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration of Peyton Brooks’ late-game bucket in Monday’s season opener against Murphy. From left are Peyton Weaver (24), Bam Nelms (11), Landen Eddings, Eli Lambert, Carsan Snider (22) and Xamuel Wachacha (15). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Welcome to our house

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Robbinsville – There are times words are briskly typed onto a keyboard as a way to gently inform the public how a particular game turned out for either the home team or the visitors.
Dodging steady rainfall for much of the evening proved to be a challenge for both Robbinsville and Murphy on Friday. Here, Bulldogs quarterback Brady Grant could not get enough traction to escape Koleson Dooley (55) and Chase Calhoun (2), as the duo dropped Grant for a sack moments later. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Dodging steady rainfall for much of the evening proved to be a challenge for both Robbinsville and Murphy on Friday. Here, Bulldogs quarterback Brady Grant could not get enough traction to escape Koleson Dooley (55) and Chase Calhoun (2), as the duo dropped Grant for a sack moments later. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Rainin’ on their parade

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 13, 2023
The box score from Friday's game. Murphy – There was steady rainfall; tempers flaring on the field; and a thrilling conclusion. In other words, a fitting chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the Robbinsville Black Knights and the Murphy Bulldogs.
Roman Jones (15) and Bryce Adams (6) lead a sandwich of Murphy's Cameron Clem during the second half of Friday's 26-21 road victory over the Bulldogs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Roman Jones (15) and Bryce Adams (6) lead a sandwich of Murphy's Cameron Clem during the second half of Friday's 26-21 road victory over the Bulldogs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights gain measure of revenge against Bulldogs

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Murphy -- There was steady rainfall; tempers flaring on the field; and a thrilling conclusion. In other words, a fitting chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the Robbinsville Black Knights and the Murphy Bulldogs.
Senior Tia Hall contends the defense of Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen in Robbinsville’s 4-set road victory over the Lady Wildcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior Tia Hall contends the defense of Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen in Robbinsville’s 4-set road victory over the Lady Wildcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Still in the hunt

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Andrews – On paper, it’s a simple-enough ask: you have three matches left, so win out. But a quick scan of the remaining schedule on that same piece of paper will quickly reveal how daunting that task will be for the Robbinsville Lady Knights.
Under the pursuit of Murphy’s Brodie Betts, JV Black Knight Cameron Allison eyes a cut upfield during Sept. 7’s home tilt with the Bulldogs. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Under the pursuit of Murphy’s Brodie Betts, JV Black Knight Cameron Allison eyes a cut upfield during Sept. 7’s home tilt with the Bulldogs. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Taking a bite out of the competition

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 15, 2023
Robbinsville – It started off as a heavyweight battle, between two titans of the Smoky Mountain Conference. But Sept.