YellowJackets

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.
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.
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.
Senior quarterback Bryce Adams finds an opening during Nov. 15’s first-round playoff game against Thomasville. Adams rushed for three touchdowns in the second round Friday, leading the Black Knights past Bessemer City. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior quarterback Bryce Adams finds an opening during Nov. 15’s first-round playoff game against Thomasville. Adams rushed for three touchdowns in the second round Friday, leading the Black Knights past Bessemer City. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Suffocating swarm

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Bessemer City – All the buzz around Robbinsville’s football season reaching its conclusion suddenly quietened when news emerged from suburban Charlotte of Friday’s outcome. After pulling back above .
Junior fullback Isiac Collins (7) decisively denies Thomasville’s Elijah McNeair with a stiff-arm during Friday’s first-round playoff win over the Bulldogs. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Junior fullback Isiac Collins (7) decisively denies Thomasville’s Elijah McNeair with a stiff-arm during Friday’s first-round playoff win over the Bulldogs. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

No bones about it

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
The box score from Nov. 15, 2024's game between Thomasville and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – It took until the third quarter, but the Black Knights showed a familiar playoff swagger Friday night.
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.