Murphy

Stopped 1 yard shy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Robbinsville – In a frantic scramble, Cherokee had reached the Knights’ 11-yard line. The Braves had no way to stop the clock in the closing moments of Aug. 31’s junior-varsity showdown under the Big Oaks, as Cherokee had burned all of its timeouts in the moments leading up to the play.
Liz Carpenter prepares to spike the ball Tuesday, as Murphy’s Cayla Greer and Lailee Holloway line up for a block attempt. Robbinsville won the first pairing between last year’s co-Smoky Mountain Conference champions in four sets. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Liz Carpenter prepares to spike the ball Tuesday, as Murphy’s Cayla Greer and Lailee Holloway line up for a block attempt. Robbinsville won the first pairing between last year’s co-Smoky Mountain Conference champions in four sets. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Change their minds

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Murphy – The Lady Knights showed up to show out.
Ethan Orr patiently awaits his chance to swing Monday against Towns County, Ga. The next day, Orr homered and pitched a complete game for Robbinsville, helping lift the Black Knights to a 5-3 home win over Rosman. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Ethan Orr patiently awaits his chance to swing Monday against Towns County, Ga. The next day, Orr homered and pitched a complete game for Robbinsville, helping lift the Black Knights to a 5-3 home win over Rosman. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Not your average Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Robbinsville – Just 2 ½ weeks ago, the Black Knights were 0-6 and had only played one seven-inning game to start the season. Counting Tuesday’s 5-3 home victory over Rosman, Robbinsville has went 5-2 to put the bumpy opening of the campaign in the rearview mirror.
Despite the chilly elements Robbinsville has played in recently, Memory Frapp has warmed up at the plate. The junior unleashed home runs in back-to-back games last week. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Despite the chilly elements Robbinsville has played in recently, Memory Frapp has warmed up at the plate. The junior unleashed home runs in back-to-back games last week. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

These girls can rake

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Robbinsville – Through seven games, they have outscored their foes 85-39; ran up a team average of .393 at the plate; homered five times; and have collectively posted five triples. And pundits were concerned that the Lady Knights might have an off year.
Though she did not get much of a chance to show off her arm, Robbinsville’s Presley Caylor struck out five of the eight batters she faced in the Lady Knights’ 16-0 win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Though she did not get much of a chance to show off her arm, Robbinsville’s Presley Caylor struck out five of the eight batters she faced in the Lady Knights’ 16-0 win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school softball prevails in season opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were barely able to display the breadth of their talent in Tuesday’s season opener. In a quick 3-inning premiere, Robbinsville (1-0) toppled Murphy 16-0 on Judy Nichols Memorial Field.
Quinn Jumper looks to tag out Murphy’s Ty Laney during Monday’s road loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Quinn Jumper looks to tag out Murphy’s Ty Laney during Monday’s road loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville baseball still hunting for 1st win of year

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Murphy – Three games into the 2023 slate and the Robbinsville Black Knights continue to pursue their first victory of the year.
Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips has already sprinted to three triples in the first four games of the year. She is batting .312 this season. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips has already sprinted to three triples in the first four games of the year. She is batting .312 this season. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Wild conference opener goes to Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Murphy – After Tuesday’s duel in Cherokee County, the Lady Knights Fast Pitch Softball Facebook page posted this quick update about the outcome, which might be the most apt descriptor of the proceedings: “A-maybe-not-so-pretty-but-thankful-to-have-a-win kind of game today.
In junction with the players on the floor, the Black Knights’ passionate fanbase erupts inside the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center at the final buzzer Friday, as Robbinsville wrapped up the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament Championship by knocking off Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

In junction with the players on the floor, the Black Knights’ passionate fanbase erupts inside the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center at the final buzzer Friday, as Robbinsville wrapped up the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament Championship by knocking off Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights sustain wild tournament finale

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Andrews – Normally, the less said about a situation like the one that sparked a quick sprint of coaches, officials and school-resource officers, the better. But the situation cannot be swept under the rug.
Sophomore small forward Liz Carpenter had 17 points for Robbinsville in the Lady Knights' tournament-semifinal win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sophomore small forward Liz Carpenter had 17 points for Robbinsville in the Lady Knights' tournament-semifinal win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights’ forwards make life hectic

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 17, 2023
Anna Williams eyes a breakaway basket during the closing seconds of Tuesday’s lopsided JV tournament win over Hayesville. Andrews – Admittedly, it took Robbinsville’s inside game over half the season to become confident.
Robbinsville juniors Xander Wachacha (left) and Donovan Carpenter erupt in celebration after Wachacha drew the and-one after completing a transition basket Monday. Wachacha and Carpenter accounted for 30 of the Black Knights’ 47 points in the Smoky Mountain Conference semifinals against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville juniors Xander Wachacha (left) and Donovan Carpenter erupt in celebration after Wachacha drew the and-one after completing a transition basket Monday. Wachacha and Carpenter accounted for 30 of the Black Knights’ 47 points in the Smoky Mountain Conference semifinals against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights’ next goal is one win away

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 17, 2023
Logan Callaway shoots a free throw during the second half of Robbinsville’s tournament exit against Murphy. Callaway’s presence off the bench gave the Knights a huge shot in the arm. Andrews – It was a nail biter, but the Black Knights got the job done.