BlueDevils

Forward Bryce Adams fights through the interior defense of Smoky Mountain’s Cameron Fowler (5) and Ace Pregner (14) on Dec. 27. Although the junior’s efforts in the game resulted in a double-double, the Black Knights suffered their first loss of the year. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Forward Bryce Adams fights through the interior defense of Smoky Mountain’s Cameron Fowler (5) and Ace Pregner (14) on Dec. 27. Although the junior’s efforts in the game resulted in a double-double, the Black Knights suffered their first loss of the year. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Unplanned re-run

Kenyon Swimmer unloads a jumper during Robbinsville’s win over Veritas Christian Academy on Dec. 28. Sylva – The Black Knights were adamant about what they hoped to accomplish in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational: win and win out.
Black Knights junior Donovan Carpenter (11) was more than willing to pull away from Brevard’s Baker Buchanan (on the floor), Tre Crite (3) and Jaylen Brown (24) on Dec. 29, after Carpenter escaped with the game-clinching steal at the buzzer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights junior Donovan Carpenter (11) was more than willing to pull away from Brevard’s Baker Buchanan (on the floor), Tre Crite (3) and Jaylen Brown (24) on Dec. 29, after Carpenter escaped with the game-clinching steal at the buzzer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Gifting season’s beatings

Sylva – One of the fun variables with a Christmas tournament is that you often play teams you are unfamiliar with. Both Veritas Christian Academy and Brevard had to learn a lesson many programs in Western North Carolina have already fell victim to: Robbinsville simply does not quit.
With Haden Key (66) holding off a Brevard defender – and both Cuttler Adams (4) and Brock Adams (2) breaking upfield, quarterback Donovan Carpenter aims a pass as part of Friday’s home opener against the Blue Devils. Robbinsville picked up its first win of the season in the rematch from last year’s loss. Photos courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

With Haden Key (66) holding off a Brevard defender – and both Cuttler Adams (4) and Brock Adams (2) breaking upfield, quarterback Donovan Carpenter aims a pass as part of Friday’s home opener against the Blue Devils. Robbinsville picked up its first win of the season in the rematch from last year’s loss. Photos courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Loss: avenged

  Robbinsville – Before the Blue Devils had a chance to gather their bearings, Cuttler Adams trampled downfield for a 78-yard touchdown. Before the first quarter was over, Adams had 129 rushing yards alone on scoring runs.
Junior running back Cuttler Adams (4) emerges from a mixture of Knights and Cougars in Friday’s season opener at Asheville. Adams finished the game with 153 rushing yards. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Junior running back Cuttler Adams (4) emerges from a mixture of Knights and Cougars in Friday’s season opener at Asheville. Adams finished the game with 153 rushing yards. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Late gasp falls short

Asheville – Trailing by 6 with 3:50 left in the ballgame, Robbinsville started a downfield campaign to victory from its own 15-yard line.
Robbinsville senior Carson White fanned eight Cherokee batters April 7, hurling a complete-game effort to stipend Robbinsville’s 15-5 win over the Braves. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville senior Carson White fanned eight Cherokee batters April 7, hurling a complete-game effort to stipend Robbinsville’s 15-5 win over the Braves. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Black Knights dismantle Cherokee

Robbinsville – As head coach Brent Icenhower astutely put it afterward, “We finally put together a full game.
Sophomore tackle Koleson Dooley (55) runs interference for classmate Cuttler Adams (4) during Friday’s season opener against the Asheville Cougars. Along with another sophomore – Kage Williams – Adams had three touchdowns in Robbinsvile’s 45-23 victory. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Sophomore tackle Koleson Dooley (55) runs interference for classmate Cuttler Adams (4) during Friday’s season opener against the Asheville Cougars. Along with another sophomore – Kage Williams – Adams had three touchdowns in Robbinsvile’s 45-23 victory. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Critics silenced

Robbinsville – Before Asheville had a chance to get settled, Robbinsville led 21-0. Sophomore backs Cuttler Adams and Kage Williams each had a hat trick – and the Black Knights’ defense took care of the rest – as Robbinsville handily defeated the 4A Cougars 45-23 in Friday’s season debut.