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The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah  Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

Lady Knights back at the mountaintop

Robbinsville – Last year's middle school softball team had seven players who are now competing in the varsity ranks. The 2024 squad was the first to win a divisional title for Robbinsville since 2017.
Middle school Lady Knight Lakin Orr awaits the call after tagging a Murphy baserunner during April 1’s home game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Middle school Lady Knight Lakin Orr awaits the call after tagging a Murphy baserunner during April 1’s home game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights enter break 9-1

Murphy – Thanks to the 8th grade coast trip and Spring Break, the middle school Lady Knights will have a 19-day gap in-between games. The rest of the Smoky Mountain Conference is hopeful that the interruption will cool the team off.
Allie Phillips puts on the brakes after reaching third base Friday against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Allie Phillips puts on the brakes after reaching third base Friday against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lady Knights continue impressive run

Robbinsville – One midseason hiccup aside, the Lady Knights have slayed anyone who has dared to step into their path. Follow Tuesday's 16-1 dismantling of the Murphy Lady Bulldogs, Robbinsville (8-1) has successfully outscored all of its middle school opposition thus far 109-25.
Shortstop Myah Winfrey looks to make the out at first during March 18’s home game against Andrews. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Shortstop Myah Winfrey looks to make the out at first during March 18’s home game against Andrews. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lady Knights back on track

Looking to avenge their first loss of the season, the middle school Lady Knights entered Friday's road game on the wrong end of a 6-4 ballgame. Unfazed by the elements, Robbinsville put together back-to-back innings of three-run softball to stun the hosting Andrews Lady Wildcats 10-6.

Middle school splits openers

Robbinsville – The next generation of varsity stars began their baseball and softball seasons by hosting Swain County on Tuesday. The Black Knights fell in a 15-10 slugfest on Loudon Orr Memorial Field, while the Lady Knights fanned the Lady Devils 10-0 at P & J Field.
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

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.
Benton Gibby lays it all on the line to snag a fly ball Tuesday against Hayesville. Gibby made the catch and Robbinsville went on to preserve an 11-7 win over the Yellow Jackets. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Benton Gibby lays it all on the line to snag a fly ball Tuesday against Hayesville. Gibby made the catch and Robbinsville went on to preserve an 11-7 win over the Yellow Jackets. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Buzzkills

As both the high school baseball and softball teams continue to vie for a piece of the conference title, the next generation of varsity players are showing that the standard can – and will – be matched for years to come.

Who’s next?

Robbinsville – They score early and often; they pepper the field with offense. “They” are Robbinsville Middle’s baseball and softball teams, which are through nine games with a combined 9-0 record.