Murphy

Sophomore quarterback Bryce Adams (6) finds some open room to advance during Friday’s loss to Murphy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Sophomore quarterback Bryce Adams (6) finds some open room to advance during Friday’s loss to Murphy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Spoil sports

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Robbinsville – What began as a highly-anticipated clash turned into a lopsided victory – for the visitors.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights clinched a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the second time in four seasons Oct. 13, sweeping Swain County on senior night. All names are listed from left. Front row: Fala Welch, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell and Tai Owle. Back row: Assistant coach Dede Brooms, manager Eden Orr, Liz Carpenter, Suri Watty, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Kensley Phillips, head coach Kadey Phillips and line judge Jade Teesateskie. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights clinched a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the second time in four seasons Oct. 13, sweeping Swain County on senior night. All names are listed from left. Front row: Fala Welch, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell and Tai Owle. Back row: Assistant coach Dede Brooms, manager Eden Orr, Liz Carpenter, Suri Watty, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Kensley Phillips, head coach Kadey Phillips and line judge Jade Teesateskie. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Step 1: Complete

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Robbinsville – Entering the 2022 season, they heard the whispers. The doubts. The naysayers. Then the Robbinsville Lady Knights assessed the circumstances and posted a 15-win campaign, which culminated Oct. 13 with a 14-25, 14-25, 20-25 sweep of Swain County (12-11) on senior night.
A trio of cousins – Bryce, Cuttler and Brock Adams (from left) – sparked Robbinsville’s defensive and offensive fortunes during the second half of Friday’s 30-13 conference win over Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

A trio of cousins – Bryce, Cuttler and Brock Adams (from left) – sparked Robbinsville’s defensive and offensive fortunes during the second half of Friday’s 30-13 conference win over Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Adams Family

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Robbinsville – It took just over 32 minutes for the first touchdown of Friday night’s game to make it onto the scoreboard – and it was by Cherokee. In the remaining 15:53, Robbinsville scored 30 unanswered points – all from the same bloodline.
Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (1) springs to a kill attempt during Tuesday’s road conference match at Murphy. The Lady Knights dropped the match in four sets and are now tied with the Lady Bulldogs atop the divisional standings. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (1) springs to a kill attempt during Tuesday’s road conference match at Murphy. The Lady Knights dropped the match in four sets and are now tied with the Lady Bulldogs atop the divisional standings. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Crowded at the top

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Murphy – It took a pair of grueling road matches to unseat Robbinsville from the top spot in the conference standings. The Lady Knights fell victim to a 5-set loss at Cherokee (13-6, 5-2) on Sept. 29, before traveling to Murphy (16-4, 5-2) and suffering a 4-set defeat.
With Murphy’s Jude Pinkerton (78) in pursuit – and Robbinsville’s Owen Blevins (77) scanning the field for any signs of disruption – JV Black Knight Tillman Adams works his way upfield Sept. 15 at Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With Murphy’s Jude Pinkerton (78) in pursuit – and Robbinsville’s Owen Blevins (77) scanning the field for any signs of disruption – JV Black Knight Tillman Adams works his way upfield Sept. 15 at Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Show up, show out

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Murphy – It was a bad night to be a Bulldog. From the opening whistle on Sept. 15, the junior varsity Robbinsville Black Knights dictated control over Murphy, with a mixture of solid rushing and stubborn defense stalling the hosts in a 22-16 triumph.
With Kellen Ensley (52) running interference, JV Black Knights quarterback Luke Lovin rolls out for a pass Sept. 8 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Haden Key/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

With Kellen Ensley (52) running interference, JV Black Knights quarterback Luke Lovin rolls out for a pass Sept. 8 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Haden Key/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

JV Knights edge Cherokee

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Cherokee – Much like their varsity counterparts would do the next night, the junior varsity Black Knights won a game on a post-touchdown play. Taking on Cherokee in a pivotal Smoky Mountain Conference showdown on Sept.
Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle, Kensley Phillips, Desta Trammell and Claire Barlow (from left) erupt after a decisive kill Sept. 1 against Murphy. The Lady Knights handed the Bulldogs a 4-set loss. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle, Kensley Phillips, Desta Trammell and Claire Barlow (from left) erupt after a decisive kill Sept. 1 against Murphy. The Lady Knights handed the Bulldogs a 4-set loss. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Deja vu

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Robbinsville – It’s ok if you feel like you have seen this ending before. Ostensibly, you have. Sure, some of the players have changed. There’s a new setter for Robbinsville – senior Desta Trammell – and Murphy’s frontline defense has a different look for the 2022 season.
The work of Robbinsville’s younger varsity players – including Claire Barlow, shown contesting a Highlands return Aug. 23 – was crucial to the Knights’ clinching a four-set victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

The work of Robbinsville’s younger varsity players – including Claire Barlow, shown contesting a Highlands return Aug. 23 – was crucial to the Knights’ clinching a four-set victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights etch 1st conference win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Robbinsville – Going into Tuesday’s conference opener, the Lady Knights seemingly held all the cards.

Vance M. Hedrick

News Staff
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Vance M. Hedrick, 82, went to his Heavenly home Thursday, April 21, 2022, surrounded by much of his family. Vance was born and raised in Graham County, N.C. and he retired from Stanley Furniture. Vance was an integral member of the community and dedicated much of his time doing things for others.