YellowJackets

Black Knights split league play to begin season

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Robbinsville High School's baseball program has started the 2026 season with mixed results. After sweeping the beginning series with Rosman, the Black Knights ran into Hayesville – the defending Smoky Mountain Conference champions – in a make-up, home doubleheader Friday.
Robbinsville’s Micah York was the Black Knights’ leading scorer in Jan. 12’s season wrap-up: the semifinals of the divisional tournament, which was contested against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Micah York was the Black Knights’ leading scorer in Jan. 12’s season wrap-up: the semifinals of the divisional tournament, which was contested against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights eliminated from middle school tournament

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Andrews – The hopes of adding another year to the championship banners inside the Robbinsville Elementary School gymnasium will have to wait at least one more season.
Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley (center, kneeling) talks strategy with his team, shortly before the second half of Jan. 8's road game against Highlands gets underway. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley (center, kneeling) talks strategy with his team, shortly before the second half of Jan. 8's road game against Highlands gets underway. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights back on winning streak

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Highlands – The first half of Jan. 8's trip to the Plateau was a shocker, both on paper and to the fans in attendance.
Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school boys hit winning streak

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 5, 2025
It took some last-second heroics, but the middle school Black Knights were able to swat the Yellow Jackets. After dropping the season opener 46-21 to Hayesville on Nov. 3, Robbinsville (6-2) found itself in a nailbiter in the return showdown Monday.
Robbinsville's McKynlee Adams splits the defense of Hayesville's Ayden Margo (24) and Kaelyn Cook (2) during Monday's season opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's McKynlee Adams splits the defense of Hayesville's Ayden Margo (24) and Kaelyn Cook (2) during Monday's season opener. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school basketball drops season openers

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 7, 2025
Robbinsville – Things just did not click for the Knights on Monday.
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.
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.