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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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
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.
Black Knights senior Dane Knott unleashed six 3's on the Copper Basin (Tenn.) Cougars in Monday's season opener, which played a key role in Robbinsville collecting a victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Dane Knott unleashed six 3's on the Copper Basin (Tenn.) Cougars in Monday's season opener, which played a key role in Robbinsville collecting a victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Cougars in season debut

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 5, 2025
Copperhill, Tenn. – If Monday's season opener is any indication of what lies ahead, the Robbinsville Black Knights are going to be a team to watch at a statewide level this season.
Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley discusses strategy with his players during a timeout at Monday's scrimmage against Murphy. Robbinsville finished its summer with 18 exhibitions under its belt. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley discusses strategy with his players during a timeout at Monday's scrimmage against Murphy. Robbinsville finished its summer with 18 exhibitions under its belt. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Practice makes perfect

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Robbinsville – If Monday's exhibitions are any indication, another Smoky Mountain Conference title could very well be in the immediate future of Black Knights basketball. Hosting Murphy and Andrews for a pair of scrimmages, Robbinsville went through its playbook with a roster of 10 at its disposal.

He’s back!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Robbinsville – It’s rare that a coach comes out of retirement on a fourth occasion – and with an undefeated streak on the line, no less.
Bryce Adams looks for a way to evade the defense of Bradford Preparatory Academy’s Isaiah Poston during the first round of the state playoffs Feb. 25. Adams was recently named the Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams looks for a way to evade the defense of Bradford Preparatory Academy’s Isaiah Poston during the first round of the state playoffs Feb. 25. Adams was recently named the Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Tip of the cap

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – When you get down to brass tacks, Bryce Adams was the only clear choice for the 2024-25 Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year.
Robbinsville senior Roman Jones tries to shirk a Bradford Prep defender while charging toward the basket during Tuesday’s first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Roman Jones tries to shirk a Bradford Prep defender while charging toward the basket during Tuesday’s first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights fall to Bradford Prep Bears

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Bryce Adams pushes a shot over the defense of Andrews’ Ty Clark and Kegan Ellis in the second half of Saturday’s conference-tournament finale. Adams ended his basketball tenure with the Knights as the program’s all-time leading scorer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
Bryce Adams looks to outmaneuver Murphy’s Connor Golden during the first half of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal. Adams became the all-time scoring leader for Robbinsville Black Knights basketball in the game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bryce Adams looks to outmaneuver Murphy’s Connor Golden during the first half of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal. Adams became the all-time scoring leader for Robbinsville Black Knights basketball in the game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

On the dance floor

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Eli Lambert launches a free throw during Feb. 7’s JV game against Swain County. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star Hayesville – Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament finals will give Robbinsville a chance to win the season series with Andrews.  But so much more is at stake.
The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘They deserve it’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – For the second time in three seasons, the Black Knights have claimed bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Tuesday’s 55-46 win over Cherokee wrapped up the regular-season championship for Robbinsville (17-5, 8-1), which has not lost a game since Jan. 8.
Robbinsville senior Bryce Adams – shown guarding Andrews’ Braxton Rickett on Friday – surpassed the 1,100-point mark for his career Monday against Summit Charter. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Bryce Adams – shown guarding Andrews’ Braxton Rickett on Friday – surpassed the 1,100-point mark for his career Monday against Summit Charter. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights gain sole possession of division

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Landon Eddings rises above the Andrews defense for a first-half bucket attempt during JV boys action Friday. Eddings went on to hit the game-clinching basket after blocking a Wildcats shot in the closing seconds of the game.
Robbinsville’s Kyzik Teesateskie (20) defies gravity to deny Copper Basin’s Talon Smith on Monday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Kyzik Teesateskie (20) defies gravity to deny Copper Basin’s Talon Smith on Monday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights continue hunt for title

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Bam Nelms aims to fire one of his team-high 24 points in the JV Black Knights' win over Murphy on Tuesday. Murphy – With portions of Graham County still blanketed in snow, Robbinsville’s basketball program embarked on a “4-for-4” slate over the course of the last week.