Hayesville

As Kellen Ensley (54) signals in the background, Robbinsville's Kyzik Teesateskie prepares to toss the ball to an official after completing the hat trick during Friday's divisional opener against Hayesville. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

As Kellen Ensley (54) signals in the background, Robbinsville's Kyzik Teesateskie prepares to toss the ball to an official after completing the hat trick during Friday's divisional opener against Hayesville. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Jackets unable to withstand Knights 'swarm'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 25, 2025
The box score from Sept. 19, 2025's game between Hayesville and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – It took until the latter stages of the third quarter for Friday's Smoky Mountain Conference opener for the score to resemble that of a football game.
Ella McGuire leaps for a kill attempt Sept. 4 at Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ella McGuire leaps for a kill attempt Sept. 4 at Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hampered by 3-match skid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Robbinsville – Tough opposition has given the Lady Knights fits over the past week. A visit to Swain County on 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.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights repeated as Smoky Mountain Conference champions this season. All names are listed from left. Front row: Bella Ford, Mylee Webster, Aaliyah Wolfe, Lakelynn Drake, Makenna Stewart and Lakin Orr. Second row: Allie Phillips, Balee Odom, Ophelia Beasley, Bristol Odom and Bently Lambert. Third row: Ty Chekelelee, Haizleigh Driver, Ella Nelms, Natalee Myers and Myah Winfrey. Back row: Assistant coach Ivy Odom, manager Caislee Lane and head coach Lauren Silvers.

Lady Knights back at the mountaintop

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Robbinsville – Last year's middle school softball team had seven players who are now competing in the varsity ranks. The 2024 squad was the first to win a divisional title for Robbinsville since 2017.
Avery Webster had a multi-hit performance in Robbinsville’s 12-1 blowout victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Avery Webster had a multi-hit performance in Robbinsville’s 12-1 blowout victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Black Knights tee off against Braves

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Quinn Jumper snags a pop-up Monday against Swain County. Robbinsville – The Black Knights shook off a succession of conference losses in resounding fashion Tuesday, trouncing Cherokee in a five-inning, 12-1 affair on Senior Night.
Robbinsville head coach Billy Knight receives a customary bath Monday, after leading the Lady Knights to their 17th Smoky Mountain Conference title. Delivering the free shower were Loxley Burke (not visible), Anna Williams (4) and Kynadee Spencer (1). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville head coach Billy Knight receives a customary bath Monday, after leading the Lady Knights to their 17th Smoky Mountain Conference title. Delivering the free shower were Loxley Burke (not visible), Anna Williams (4) and Kynadee Spencer (1). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

And still ...

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Robbinsville – Until another contender steps up to the plate, Lady Knights softball will maintain its monopoly over the Smoky Mountain Conference. The program's 17th divisional title was clinched Monday, thanks to a 5-0 blanking of the visiting Swain County Lady Devils.
Moments after the final buzzer sounded Saturday, JV Black Knights Xamuel Wachacha (3), Tucker Jones (5), Bam Nelms (1) and Eli Lambert (2) begin to celebrate Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-title victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Moments after the final buzzer sounded Saturday, JV Black Knights Xamuel Wachacha (3), Tucker Jones (5), Bam Nelms (1) and Eli Lambert (2) begin to celebrate Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-title victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

How sweet it is!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Hayesville – A first-quarter lead slipped away and by the beginning of the fourth quarter, seemed out-of-reach. The JV Black Knights were not going to let their season end on such a sour note. Instead, Robbinsville (No.
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.
Members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights hit the floor to celebrate with their teammates after Tuesday’s conference win over Hayesville. From left are Bentley Riggins, Abby Wehr, Liz Carpenter and Anna Williams. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights hit the floor to celebrate with their teammates after Tuesday’s conference win over Hayesville. From left are Bentley Riggins, Abby Wehr, Liz Carpenter and Anna Williams. Photos by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Lady Knights eliminate Jacket infestation

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robbinsville – For the first few minutes of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference appointment with Hayesville, the Lady Knights seemed to have misplaced a crucial part of their gameplan.
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.