LadyBobcats

Lady Knights sophomore Bella Coats (40) breaks away from Bethany Community School's Brooke Carter (11) and Ryleigh Wiseburn (20) in the fourth quarter of Thursday's second-round playoff game. More photos can be purchased at geosnapshot.com/grahamstarsports. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore Bella Coats (40) breaks away from Bethany Community School's Brooke Carter (11) and Ryleigh Wiseburn (20) in the fourth quarter of Thursday's second-round playoff game. More photos can be purchased at geosnapshot.com/grahamstarsports. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights begin postseason run

Hiwassee Dam – Though the hosts put up a gallant effort, it was Robbinsville who stood tall at the end of Monday's fourth-round playoff game.
Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Bobcats in home opener

Robbinsville – The home debut of the varsity basketball program Friday can only be viewed as a rousing success. Welcoming Blue Ridge School, the Lady Knights improved to 1-1 with a 51-19 victory in the opener.
Outside hitter Chloe Adams delivers a spike between the outstretched defense of Tuscola’s Julia Wells (5) and Ivy Jones (3) during Monday’s season opener. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Outside hitter Chloe Adams delivers a spike between the outstretched defense of Tuscola’s Julia Wells (5) and Ivy Jones (3) during Monday’s season opener. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights sweep season openers

JV Lady Knight Myah Winfrey leaps for a block attempt Monday at Tuscola. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star Robbinsville – Despite having a short amount of prep time, the high school volleyball season is here.
Under the hot pursuit of Swain County’s Miley Teav (11), Abby Wehr breaks up the floor during the second half of Friday’s win over the Lady Devils. Wehr led Robbinsville with 15 points in the victory. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Under the hot pursuit of Swain County’s Miley Teav (11), Abby Wehr breaks up the floor during the second half of Friday’s win over the Lady Devils. Wehr led Robbinsville with 15 points in the victory. Photo by Kensie Belk/The Graham Star

Knights vie for a bye

Novie Dutcher sizes up a free throw during Friday’s JV girls win over Swain County.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights celebrate after winning a hard-fought volley Aug. 29 at Andrews. Visible are Daphne Barlow (left), Claire Barlow, Suri Watty (6) and Liz Carpenter. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

The Robbinsville Lady Knights celebrate after winning a hard-fought volley Aug. 29 at Andrews. Visible are Daphne Barlow (left), Claire Barlow, Suri Watty (6) and Liz Carpenter. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Back on track

Cashiers – Tonight’s game against Hiwassee Dam will be the first time Robbinsville has touched its home court for a volleyball match in 16 days. A lengthy road trip concluded Monday and Tuesday, with back-to-back trips to the Highlands/Cashiers plateau.
It was smiles all around for the Lady Knights during their regular-season home finale Feb. 7 against Blue Ridge School, as clearly illustrated on this throw-in from Claire Barlow (4) to Suri Watty. Photo by Audrey Colvin/The Graham Star

It was smiles all around for the Lady Knights during their regular-season home finale Feb. 7 against Blue Ridge School, as clearly illustrated on this throw-in from Claire Barlow (4) to Suri Watty. Photo by Audrey Colvin/The Graham Star

Lady Knights take 3rd

The final Smoky Mountain Conference standings for the 2023-24 girls basketball season. Cherokee – A home playoff game is still up for grabs for the Robbinsville Lady Knights, after finishing the regular season ranked third in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
Lady Knights senior Aubrie Wachacha has finely-tuned her service game throughout her career and is peaking at the right time: her 68 aces at press time lead the Smoky Mountain Conference. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Aubrie Wachacha has finely-tuned her service game throughout her career and is peaking at the right time: her 68 aces at press time lead the Smoky Mountain Conference. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ace in the hole

Robbinsville – There’s a reason Aubrie Wachacha is the first Lady Knight to step behind the service line in the rotation.
Members of the Lady Knights volleyball team gather to sing the Robbinsville High School alma mater – a post-match tradition, when a victory is in the books – after Tuesday’s sweep over the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Lady Knights volleyball team gather to sing the Robbinsville High School alma mater – a post-match tradition, when a victory is in the books – after Tuesday’s sweep over the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

All smiles

Robbinsville – Each time they step on the court, you can sense the poise.
Junior Aubrie Wachacha eyes a second-quarter basket Monday at Pisgah. Robbinsville’s center had 13 points against Cocke County, Tenn., on Friday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Junior Aubrie Wachacha eyes a second-quarter basket Monday at Pisgah. Robbinsville’s center had 13 points against Cocke County, Tenn., on Friday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville cannot thwart sharp shooters

Newport, Tenn. – Coming off head coach Lucas Ford’s 100th win Jan. 3, the Lady Knights embarked on a pair of long road trips for non-conference action. Robbinsville (9-4) admittedly had a tough draw, facing a pair of 3A powerhouses in Cocke County, Tenn., on Friday and Pisgah on Monday.
Robbinsville senior Desta Trammell (6) could not contain her excitement after the final point of the Lady Knights’ 4-set victory at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Also soaking up the moment was Tai Owle (14), Kensley Phillips (4), assistant coach Dede Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha (16), Suri Watty (2) and Delaney Brooms. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Desta Trammell (6) could not contain her excitement after the final point of the Lady Knights’ 4-set victory at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Also soaking up the moment was Tai Owle (14), Kensley Phillips (4), assistant coach Dede Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha (16), Suri Watty (2) and Delaney Brooms. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Righting the ship

Sylva – Twice the Robbinsville Lady Knights traveled to Jackson County last week. Twice, they returned home with victories. Coming off a tough sweep at Asheville Christian Academy on Sept.