Hayesville

Brooke Cox, Ella Nelms and Myah Winfrey (from left) listen intently as Robbinsville head coach Brittany Snider sets up a play during a late timeout Jan. 15 at Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brooke Cox, Ella Nelms and Myah Winfrey (from left) listen intently as Robbinsville head coach Brittany Snider sets up a play during a late timeout Jan. 15 at Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights back in semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Bryson City – Following the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 Smoky Mountain Conference middle school championship tournament, one of Robbinsville’s teams is right back in the same position it was last year, while another was dismissed early. The Lady Knights (No.
Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Stung on the Chek

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Robbinsville – The middle school Lady Knights quickly reversed what looked to be a post-Thanksgiving lull Monday, drubbing Hayesville 51-36 at Robbinsville Elementary School. Competing for the first time since Nov.
The Greener Side Dispensary was 1-of-3 local businesses that was part of “Operation Dirty Laundry,” which was carried out Friday afternoon. By nightfall, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office had put up a temporary sign outside the establishment to note the success of the operation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Greener Side Dispensary was 1-of-3 local businesses that was part of “Operation Dirty Laundry,” which was carried out Friday afternoon. By nightfall, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office had put up a temporary sign outside the establishment to note the success of the operation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

'Dirty Laundry'

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
A nearly 11-month, undercover investigation culminated Friday with the execution of search warrants at a total of 10 different locations across three counties and two states.
The teams formed for Nov. 14’s inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” flexed their creative muscle, both over a stove and when selecting a name for their ensemble. Pictured are the “Gangster Grinches,” which are comprised of (from left): Alexis Miller, Zeyli Williams, Alyssa Bohn, Dreydon Conley and Bella Coats. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The teams formed for Nov. 14’s inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” flexed their creative muscle, both over a stove and when selecting a name for their ensemble. Pictured are the “Gangster Grinches,” which are comprised of (from left): Alexis Miller, Zeyli Williams, Alyssa Bohn, Dreydon Conley and Bella Coats. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

1, 2, 3, 4: it’s a cupcake war!

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Robbinsville – Nov. 14 marked the inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” at Robbinsville High School.  It was a sweet competition between Ms. Lorie Waldroup’s culinary classes and the foods 2 and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) Club from Hayesville High School.
The expression concerning football being a “game of inches” was illustrated nicely by Robbinsville Mites quarterback Kyson Carpenter on Saturday, as the 11-year-old stretched to break the plane and give the Black Knights another Cracker Bowl title. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The expression concerning football being a “game of inches” was illustrated nicely by Robbinsville Mites quarterback Kyson Carpenter on Saturday, as the 11-year-old stretched to break the plane and give the Black Knights another Cracker Bowl title. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘Mighty Mites’ retain title

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Until someone manages to flip the script, get used to the sight of the Robbinsville Mites standing tall at the end of each year. The group won its fourth Cracker Bowl championship Saturday, prevailing 6-0 over Swain County.
Bryce Adams (right) presents the next play to his offensive linemen and tackles during Friday’s game at Hayesville. Adams launched a trio of touchdown passes in Robbinsville’s win. Also pictured are Kasen Buchanan (55), Tytan Teesateskie (72), Kyzik Teesateskie (52), Jonah Teesateskie (66), Avery Webster (63) and Tucker Jones (26). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams (right) presents the next play to his offensive linemen and tackles during Friday’s game at Hayesville. Adams launched a trio of touchdown passes in Robbinsville’s win. Also pictured are Kasen Buchanan (55), Tytan Teesateskie (72), Kyzik Teesateskie (52), Jonah Teesateskie (66), Avery Webster (63) and Tucker Jones (26). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Enemy swarm

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 31, 2024
The box score from Oct. 25, 2024's game between Robbinsville and Hayesville. Hayesville – Bryce Adams completed just four passes in Friday’s road trip to Clay County. Three were for touchdowns.
Bryce Adams evades the pursuit of Andrews’ Antonio Hernandez during Friday’s 28-7 win over the Wildcats. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams evades the pursuit of Andrews’ Antonio Hernandez during Friday’s 28-7 win over the Wildcats. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Interior remodeling

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 24, 2024
The box score from Oct. 18, 2024's game between Robbinsville and Andrews. Andrews  – It was not the offensive explosion that would thrill today’s generation, but Robbinsville put on a defensive clinic Friday.
Braylon Blevins (17) watches for Eli Lambert (11) to catch a two-point conversion pass in JV action Monday against Hayesville. Lambert completed the exchange, to round out the Black Knights’ 30-12 win. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Braylon Blevins (17) watches for Eli Lambert (11) to catch a two-point conversion pass in JV action Monday against Hayesville. Lambert completed the exchange, to round out the Black Knights’ 30-12 win. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

JV Knights miss out on repeat title bid

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
Robbinsville – The junior varsity Black Knights’ defense of the Smoky Mountain Conference title went right down to the wire. Scoreless after the first quarter of the Oct.
The Lady Knights prepare to defend the back row Tuesday against Swain County. Pictured are Claire Barlow, Daphne Barlow (5), Ryn Hooper and Liz Carpenter (20). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

The Lady Knights prepare to defend the back row Tuesday against Swain County. Pictured are Claire Barlow, Daphne Barlow (5), Ryn Hooper and Liz Carpenter (20). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Knights fighting for postseason spot

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
Robbinsville – Tuesday was one of the most important matches for Lady Knights volleyball in quite some time. Attempting to stay in the playoff conversation, Robbinsville held its annual “Pink Night” – a fundraiser for the Graham Cancer Support Group – by hosting Swain County.
Landon Pollard attempts to shirk an Andrews defender Sept. 19. Elijah Kirkland (12) offers a helping hand for the cause. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Landon Pollard attempts to shirk an Andrews defender Sept. 19. Elijah Kirkland (12) offers a helping hand for the cause. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

JV Black Knights collect second win of week

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Robbinsville – After an emotionally-charged road win over Murphy on Sept. 16, one could easily understand how the JV Black Knights might have dreaded throwing pads back on for another game just three days later. But really, Robbinsville needed just 10 minutes or so to get back into its groove.