Eagles

Members of the Black Knights mob head coach Jake Beasley in the locker room Tuesday, moments after Robbinsville wrapped up its first Smoky Mountain Conference title since the 2013-14 season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Black Knights mob head coach Jake Beasley in the locker room Tuesday, moments after Robbinsville wrapped up its first Smoky Mountain Conference title since the 2013-14 season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Mission: accomplished

Robbinsville – Finally. The last time Robbinsville’s varsity boys won a conference title in basketball, this year’s seniors were still in elementary school.
Senior Caleb Draper (1) slides past Hiwassee Dam’s Kyle Taylor during Monday’s road game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior Caleb Draper (1) slides past Hiwassee Dam’s Kyle Taylor during Monday’s road game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Target: acquired

Showing complete disregard for the defense of Hiwassee Dam’s Leo Dickson, Robbinsville’s Brock Adams stretches for a second-half push into the net Monday.

2nd-half woes doom Knights

Robbinsville – With 1:30 left before halftime, Tucker Jones drove into the paint and put up a floater that sank through the basket, giving the middle school Black Knights a 25-24 lead over Cherokee. From that point forward, Robbinsville scored just 15 more points in the game.
Robbinsville senior Willie Riddle locks horns with Franklin’s Chase Browning during the Nov. 30 home dual against the Panthers. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville senior Willie Riddle locks horns with Franklin’s Chase Browning during the Nov. 30 home dual against the Panthers. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

‘The ‘Ville’ off to 10-1 start

Robbinsville – The only surefire way to ensure improvement from start to finish is to get in as many live-action reps as possible. Back for his fourth stint as the Black Knights’ head coach, David Haney has packed Robbinsville’s 2022-23 schedule with a wide variety of competition.
Zayleigh Chekeleelee outpaces the pursuit of Hiwassee Dam/Ranger defenders for a lay-up during the Nov. 3 season opener. Chekeleelee led the Lady Knights with a 10-point afternoon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zayleigh Chekeleelee outpaces the pursuit of Hiwassee Dam/Ranger defenders for a lay-up during the Nov. 3 season opener. Chekeleelee led the Lady Knights with a 10-point afternoon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school hoops tips off

Robbinsville – It might be a few more weeks before the high school Knights begin their latest basketball season, but the next generation of varsity superstars tipped their year off Nov. 3.
Prior to May 5’s season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their three baseball seniors: Cole Patterson, Carson White and Kade Garrison (from left). Photo courtesy of Haylee Crisp/Robbinsville High School

Prior to May 5’s season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their three baseball seniors: Cole Patterson, Carson White and Kade Garrison (from left). Photo courtesy of Haylee Crisp/Robbinsville High School

Knights miss playoff cut

Robbinsville – A late hiccup cost the Black Knights a playoff berth.
After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights looking to finish strong

Robbinsville – Graham County’s middle school baseball and softball programs ended the home portion of their season in strong fashion.
Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Livin’ on a prayer

Hiwassee Dam – Entering the final road game of the season Monday, Robbinsville held all the cards.

Dream on

Hiwassee Dam – Robbinsville’s magical season will continue. A back-and-forth outing in the first round of the state playoffs Tuesday at Hiwassee Dam tilted in favor of the Black Knights late, with Robbinsville knocking off the No. 8-seeded Eagles, 61-53.
Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted in tourney semis

Bryson City – Heading into Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal, Robbinsville was seemingly well on its way to making a magical run to the championship game. And for three quarters of the showdown against the hosting Swain County Maroon Devils (No.