Braves

Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Livin’ on a prayer

Hiwassee Dam – Entering the final road game of the season Monday, Robbinsville held all the cards.
Robbinsville senior Carson White fanned eight Cherokee batters April 7, hurling a complete-game effort to stipend Robbinsville’s 15-5 win over the Braves. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville senior Carson White fanned eight Cherokee batters April 7, hurling a complete-game effort to stipend Robbinsville’s 15-5 win over the Braves. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Black Knights dismantle Cherokee

Robbinsville – As head coach Brent Icenhower astutely put it afterward, “We finally put together a full game.
Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted in tourney semis

Bryson City – Heading into Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal, Robbinsville was seemingly well on its way to making a magical run to the championship game. And for three quarters of the showdown against the hosting Swain County Maroon Devils (No.
Xander Wachacha takes center stage during Feb. 3's home victory over Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Xander Wachacha takes center stage during Feb. 3's home victory over Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Variable outcome

Andrews – After allowing a scant 19 points in the first half, Robbinsville’s offense could not get into a tempo in the second half. Meanwhile, Andrews had no problem finding the basket after its return from the locker room. The end result?
Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Cashing in a win

Cashiers – The Black Knights are having to readjust their program, a little over midway through the season. Down to eight players, Robbinsville has struggled to find its identity as of late, often faltering in the late stages of games the team seemingly had in hand.
Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

“The ‘Ville” now ranked No. 1

Robbinsville – This far into the 2021-22 season, one question lingers: is there anyone that can stop Robbinsville? The No. 1-ranked team in 1A started its latest tear with a 70-6 victory in the annual “Battle of the Knights” at North Henderson on Jan. 5.
Senior lineman Carlos Wesley drops Winston-Salem quarterback Montell Austin (1) during the first half of Friday’s 66-14 first-round playoff victory over the Phoenix. Wesley had three sacks in the showcase for the Knights. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Senior lineman Carlos Wesley drops Winston-Salem quarterback Montell Austin (1) during the first half of Friday’s 66-14 first-round playoff victory over the Phoenix. Wesley had three sacks in the showcase for the Knights. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Kickin’ ashes

Robbinsville – You name it, the Black Knights probably did it. Three touchdowns in the first half from Cuttler Adams. Three interceptions – including one pick-six by Eddie Brooms – as well as three fumble recoveries and four sacks – three made by Carlos Wesley – helped Robbinsville (No.
Abby Wehr searches for an open option during Monday’s season opener against Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Abby Wehr searches for an open option during Monday’s season opener against Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights outpaced by Cherokee in season opener

Robbinsville – Things got off to a rocky start for the Robbinsville Middle School basketball program this season. The Lady Knights fell 55-7 to the Cherokee Braves in Monday’s season opener, while the Black Knights were upended 58-22 in the nightcap.
With Cherokee’s Elijah Watty (25) closing in, Robbinsville senior quarterback Dasan Gross scans the field for an open receiver during Friday’s 20-7 loss to the Braves. Photos by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

With Cherokee’s Elijah Watty (25) closing in, Robbinsville senior quarterback Dasan Gross scans the field for an open receiver during Friday’s 20-7 loss to the Braves. Photos by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

13-second swing

Cherokee – Entering the fourth quarter of Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference opener, Robbinsville and Cherokee were in a 7-7 deadlock.  Neither team had scored since the second quarter, and the game seemed destined to go to whoever struck next.