Rosman

Reality sets in for members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights, moments after completing a sweep of Rosman in the second round of the state playoffs Tuesday. Pictured are Kynadee Spencer (2), Ryn Hooper (8), Zaelyn Phillips and Daphne Barlow (3). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Reality sets in for members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights, moments after completing a sweep of Rosman in the second round of the state playoffs Tuesday. Pictured are Kynadee Spencer (2), Ryn Hooper (8), Zaelyn Phillips and Daphne Barlow (3). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

3rd-round bound

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 24, 2025
Robbinsville – Pitted against a team that matches up well against them on the other side of the net, the Lady Knights were tasked with knocking off a divisional foe in their 2025 playoff debut Tuesday. Though victorious in both outings against Rosman (No.
Zaelyn Phillips spikes the ball past the defense of Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby (3) and Joscelyn Stamper (13) during Tuesday’s league-tournament semifinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zaelyn Phillips spikes the ball past the defense of Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby (3) and Joscelyn Stamper (13) during Tuesday’s league-tournament semifinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in tournament semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Hayesville – Even though Tuesday's semifinal pairing against the regular-season champions ended in defeat, the Lady Knights turned a lot of heads. Entering the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament as the No. 4 seed, Robbinsville (12-11) mowed over Andrews (No.
Kasen Buchanan (55) sacks Murphy quarterback Brady Grant to end the first half of action Friday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kasen Buchanan (55) sacks Murphy quarterback Brady Grant to end the first half of action Friday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Clash of the titans

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 16, 2025
The box score from Oct. 10, 2025's game between Robbinsville and Murphy. Murphy – It was a low-scoring game, in which both teams gained 15 first downs and one program ended up with just one offensive yard more than the other.
Zaelyn Phillips swats the ball over a pair of Rosman defenders during Tuesday's four-set victory over the Lady Tigers. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Zaelyn Phillips swats the ball over a pair of Rosman defenders during Tuesday's four-set victory over the Lady Tigers. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights snap 5-match losing streak

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 19, 2025
Robbinsville – Following a tough slate, the Lady Knights reaped all the benefits of returning back home Tuesday.
Devin Burchfield intercepts a Rosman pass during the Sept. 11 JV football game. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Devin Burchfield intercepts a Rosman pass during the Sept. 11 JV football game. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

JVs tame Tigers

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 19, 2025
Robbinsville – Opening the Smoky Mountain Conference portion of their season with a loss is not something the junior varsity Black Knights are accustomed to. However, the Sept.
Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

SMC football: Not for the weak of heart

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 28, 2025
There's a reason a mention of Smoky Mountain Conference football sends shivers down the spines of opponents far and wide – the reputation of the division speaks for itself.
Avery Webster makes a running catch in right field Monday against Rosman. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Avery Webster makes a running catch in right field Monday against Rosman. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Black Knights drop slugfests

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 14, 2025
Robbinsville – Even with 20 combined runs in their last two games, the Black Knights are still on a quest for win No. 1 this season.
Rylen Orr was named the Opening Day starter for the Robbinsville Black Knights in Feb. 27’s season debut at Towns County, Ga. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Rylen Orr was named the Opening Day starter for the Robbinsville Black Knights in Feb. 27’s season debut at Towns County, Ga. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights begin season with tough losses

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Benton Gibby fires the ball from the warning track during Monday’s home opener against Towns County. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star Hiawassee, Ga.
Knox Orr controls Alleghany’s Elijah Barker during the second round of the state dual-team postseason Saturday. Orr went on to pin Barker and clinch a third-round berth for Robbinsville. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Knox Orr controls Alleghany’s Elijah Barker during the second round of the state dual-team postseason Saturday. Orr went on to pin Barker and clinch a third-round berth for Robbinsville. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

3rd round bound

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robbinsville – There’s a reason the third round of the dual-team postseason is dubbed the “Elite 8.” The Black Knights found out after Wednesday’s press deadline if their duals roster was strong enough to withstand another tough evening of competition, as Robbinsville (No.
Senior middle hitter Claire Barlow – who led the 1A West in kills (338) before Tuesday’s playoff match – pulls some chicanery to slip the ball past Rosman’s Lilly Orr and Lillie Dodson. Robbinsville advanced to the second round of the postseason after besting its former conference rival in four sets. Photos by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Senior middle hitter Claire Barlow – who led the 1A West in kills (338) before Tuesday’s playoff match – pulls some chicanery to slip the ball past Rosman’s Lilly Orr and Lillie Dodson. Robbinsville advanced to the second round of the postseason after besting its former conference rival in four sets. Photos by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Pro tip: never count out the Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Senior Liz Carpenter entered Tuesday's playoff match against Rosman with a team-best 62 aces. Carpenter delivered several flawless serves in the Knights' four-set victory over the Tigers.