Braves

Black Knights senior Skyler Anderson signed a Letter of Intent to wrestle at Ottawa (Kan.) University on May 5. Seated with Anderson are Vickie and Dean Carpenter. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Black Knights senior Skyler Anderson signed a Letter of Intent to wrestle at Ottawa (Kan.) University on May 5. Seated with Anderson are Vickie and Dean Carpenter. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Braves scoop up another state champ

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Robbinsville – It's no secret that Black Knights wrestling has built a strong reputation for itself. The championship tradition has spurned numerous candidates for collegiate programs to choose from – and Ottawa (Kan.) University has recently zeroed in on "The Ville's" top talent.
Senior Quinn Jumper finished with a .411 average in 2025, leading the Black Knights in that category. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Senior Quinn Jumper finished with a .411 average in 2025, leading the Black Knights in that category. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Diamond Knights shine in season finale

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Cherokee – Despite being left out of the playoffs this season, the Black Knights had plenty to hang their hats on after May 1's season finale.
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.
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.
The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘They deserve it’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – For the second time in three seasons, the Black Knights have claimed bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Tuesday’s 55-46 win over Cherokee wrapped up the regular-season championship for Robbinsville (17-5, 8-1), which has not lost a game since Jan. 8.
Robbinsville’s Kyzik Teesateskie (20) defies gravity to deny Copper Basin’s Talon Smith on Monday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Kyzik Teesateskie (20) defies gravity to deny Copper Basin’s Talon Smith on Monday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights continue hunt for title

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Bam Nelms aims to fire one of his team-high 24 points in the JV Black Knights' win over Murphy on Tuesday. Murphy – With portions of Graham County still blanketed in snow, Robbinsville’s basketball program embarked on a “4-for-4” slate over the course of the last week.
Robbinsville’s Aaliyah Wolfe keeps a watchful eye on a Swain County player during Nov. 4’s season opener.

Robbinsville’s Aaliyah Wolfe keeps a watchful eye on a Swain County player during Nov. 4’s season opener.

Middle school Lady Knights back in win column

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights shook off back-to-back losses Nov. 14, upending the visiting Hiwassee Dam/Ranger Lady Eagles 49-35.  Robbinsville (2-3) ran away with the game by opening up a 24-6 lead at the outset of the second quarter.
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.
Senior Roman Jones prepares to lower the boom on Cherokee’s Kingston Welch en route to one of his five trips into the end zone Friday. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Senior Roman Jones prepares to lower the boom on Cherokee’s Kingston Welch en route to one of his five trips into the end zone Friday. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Roman Empire

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
The box score from Oct. 4, 2024's game between Cherokee and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – One game removed from a breakout performance, Roman Jones tied a record set by his father some 32 years ago.