Hayesville

Sophomore guard Suri Watty (right) keeps a watchful eye on the outside antics of Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams during Tuesday’s loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sophomore guard Suri Watty (right) keeps a watchful eye on the outside antics of Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams during Tuesday’s loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Inconsistency dooms Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Cherokee – If the Lady Knights can get into a full-game groove, look out. Flashes of the potential Robbinsville (No. 3 seed, 16-8) has still yet to tap into were on display in the first quarter of Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament pairing against Hayesville (No. 2, 20-5).

Woes of the road

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Hayesville – Try as they may, the Lady Knights could only serve one cold plate of revenge during a 3-game road trip. Robbinsville went 1-2 away from its friendly confines this week, with a season split Friday against Andrews wedged between a non-conference loss at Hiwassee Dam on Feb.
The Black Knights erupt, moments after Robbinsville’s Darion Ledbetter hit the buzzer-beating winner Friday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Black Knights erupt, moments after Robbinsville’s Darion Ledbetter hit the buzzer-beating winner Friday at Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Better safe than sorry

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Isiac Collins breaks away during the first half of Friday’s JV boys showdown in Andrews. Andrews – With 10 seconds left in Friday’s divisional game, Bryce Adams batted down the go-ahead jumper from Ty Clark.

Overtime thriller

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Robbinsville – Inclement weather has thrown the 2023-24 Smoky Mountain Conference Middle School Tournament into chaos. All six of the scheduled quarterfinal games took place Saturday, but the semifinals have been placed on ice – not once, but twice.
Senior center Aubrie Wachacha rips free from a rebound struggle with Highlands on Jan. 4. Wachacha’s early run in the game set the path for Robbinsville to conquer the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Senior center Aubrie Wachacha rips free from a rebound struggle with Highlands on Jan. 4. Wachacha’s early run in the game set the path for Robbinsville to conquer the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Another conference setback

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Robbinsville – Coming off a decisive 45-29 win over Highlands on Jan. 4 – vindicating a 51-48 overtime triumph at Highlands on Dec. 8 – the Lady Knights appeared poised to steer the ship back on course in divisional action Friday.
Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter unloads a corner jumper during the second half of Friday’s win over Hayesville. Carpenter’s 14-point evening led Robbinsville’s output. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter unloads a corner jumper during the second half of Friday’s win over Hayesville. Carpenter’s 14-point evening led Robbinsville’s output. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

(Home) court is in session

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Robbinsville – With three straight road games against Little Smoky Mountain Conference schools on the docket ahead, the Black Knights’ resounding defense of their home court will be put on ice.
The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights gathered at half court in Bryson City on Monday to commemorate a 14-0 regular season after defeating Swain County in the finale. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights gathered at half court in Bryson City on Monday to commemorate a 14-0 regular season after defeating Swain County in the finale. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights cap unbeaten regular season

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Bryson City – When the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights completed the program’s first perfect regular season since a stretch of back-to-back, undefeated runs from 2009-11, there was very little fanfare.
Lleyton Hooper applies a half-nelson during Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Jacquline Gayosso/Contributing Photographer

Lleyton Hooper applies a half-nelson during Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Jacquline Gayosso/Contributing Photographer

Dual frenzy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Robbinsville – Six duals in a span of four days would be a grind for most programs. For Robbinsville, it’s business as usual. The Black Knights welcomed schools from across – and outside – the state for Saturday’s inaugural H.O.O.T.
Tim Grant (14) swats the ball out of Camren Robinson's possession during Robbinsville's rout over Martins Creek on Nov. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Tim Grant (14) swats the ball out of Camren Robinson's possession during Robbinsville's rout over Martins Creek on Nov. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights sting Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Hayesville – The post-Thanksgiving, turkey hangover failed to affect the Robbinsville Middle School basketball program.
Black Knights senior Chase Calhoun leaves Hayesville’s Isaac Chandler lying in his wake Friday, while attempting to navigate through the Jackets defense. Calhoun later reeled in a 60-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of Robbinsville’s 26-20 triumph. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights senior Chase Calhoun leaves Hayesville’s Isaac Chandler lying in his wake Friday, while attempting to navigate through the Jackets defense. Calhoun later reeled in a 60-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of Robbinsville’s 26-20 triumph. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Enduring a sting

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 26, 2023
The box score from Friday's game. Robbinsville – It wasn’t pretty, but the Black Knights avoided the need for a EpiPen to prevail over Hayesville on Friday, 26-20.