Bulldogs

With classmate Bryc Garrison backing him up, Graylen Orr watches Thomasville sophomore Mkyel Duncan slide underneath for an attempted stolen base during the first round of the playoffs May 8. Both teams were unaccustomed to playing on an artificial infield, so Duncan overshot the bag and Orr tagged him out moments later. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With classmate Bryc Garrison backing him up, Graylen Orr watches Thomasville sophomore Mkyel Duncan slide underneath for an attempted stolen base during the first round of the playoffs May 8. Both teams were unaccustomed to playing on an artificial infield, so Duncan overshot the bag and Orr tagged him out moments later. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Winners in a losing game

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 16, 2024
High Point – The return to the playoffs Wednesday was perhaps the program’s best showing in years – even though the Knights fell victim to a no-hitter.  Robbinsville (No.
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 16, 2024
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.

One for the road

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 10, 2024
Thirteen years. Robbinsville can wait one more day. Heavy rainfall across the state Monday flooded the field that was set to host the Black Knights’ first postseason game since 2011.
As his father Coy celebrates, Cuttler Adams speaks on the phone with Yale head coach Tony Reno, who helped Adams announce his college selection at a special Feb. 7 signing. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

As his father Coy celebrates, Cuttler Adams speaks on the phone with Yale head coach Tony Reno, who helped Adams announce his college selection at a special Feb. 7 signing. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

From Atoah to Yale

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Robbinsville – Outside of his immediate family, Cuttler Adams did an excellent job keeping his college football plans hush-hush. Really, the decision was made months ago. Adams still weighed his options until just three weeks ago, when he informed his family that Yale University in New Haven, Conn.
All Murphy’s Ryan Payne (11) could do was look on in awe of Robbinsville junior Darion Ledbetter making this reverse layup look easy during Tuesday’s nightcap with the Bulldogs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

All Murphy’s Ryan Payne (11) could do was look on in awe of Robbinsville junior Darion Ledbetter making this reverse layup look easy during Tuesday’s nightcap with the Bulldogs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

No Knights off: Boys division taking shape

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville’s Everett Taylor delivers a side heave in JV action Jan. 25 against Hiwassee Dam. Robbinsville – To repeat as the Smoky Mountain Conference champions, the Black Knights will have to make sure not to fall susceptible to the perils of the road.
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.
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.