NorthBuncombe

After making a reception during the July 10, 7-on-7 scrimmage against Tuscola, Isiac Collins weaves through the Mountaineer defense. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After making a reception during the July 10, 7-on-7 scrimmage against Tuscola, Isiac Collins weaves through the Mountaineer defense. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Early glimpse

Kevin Hensley
Monday, July 21, 2025
Waynesville – This week marks the end of Robbinsville’s most-active offseason in many years. Athletes, coaches and the Black Knights fan base are reinvigorated by a regime change; in return, attendance for summer workouts has been higher than usual.
Senior Darion Ledbetter (5) works into the paint and looks to split the defense of North Buncombe’s Cole Edmonds (11) and Tripp Switzer (20) on Jan. 8. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Senior Darion Ledbetter (5) works into the paint and looks to split the defense of North Buncombe’s Cole Edmonds (11) and Tripp Switzer (20) on Jan. 8. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Black Knights end 4-game skid

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Robbinsville – After a tough stretch of losses – which included a pair of 3-point defeats – the Black Knights finally reversed their fortunes Tuesday night. Winless since leaving Hiwassee Dam (6-6) on the better end of a 79-51 blowout Dec.
Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Blackhawks joust Black Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Weaverville – The final varsity basketball action of 2024 proved to be a tough assignment.
Robbinsville’s Liz Carpenter (23) and Kensley Phillips slow down the drive of North Buncombe’s Peyton Whitson on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Liz Carpenter (23) and Kensley Phillips slow down the drive of North Buncombe’s Peyton Whitson on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Blackhawks clip Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – The chips simply did not fall in the Lady Knights’ favor. In what evolved into a back-and-forth tussle, Robbinsville (3-2, 0-1) incurred its first loss of the season Friday, dropping a 47-46 heartbreaker to the North Buncombe Blackhawks.
Senior point guard Brock Adams (right) breaks away from a North Buncombe defender in the first half of Robbinsville’s double-overtime win over the Blackhawks on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Senior point guard Brock Adams (right) breaks away from a North Buncombe defender in the first half of Robbinsville’s double-overtime win over the Blackhawks on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

2x the pleasure; 2x the fun

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – In the end, the Black Knights would not be denied. With a perfect season on the line, Robbinsville and North Buncombe were tied 57-57 late in Friday’s non-conference clash.
Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights fall to Blackhawks, Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – The Knights had the right game plan for Friday’s tilt with Hayesville: neutralize Jake McTaggart.
Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Split bill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – Through four Smoky Mountain Conference games this season, the varsity Lady Knights have outscored their opponents 237-133. Behind a 25-point performance from junior point guard Desta Trammell on Friday night, Hayesville rapidly became the latest Robbinsville foe to fall.