LSMCBB

Kristian Bauzo (left) attempts to evade the defense of Andrews’ Braylen Maennle on Jan. 27. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kristian Bauzo (left) attempts to evade the defense of Andrews’ Braylen Maennle on Jan. 27. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Flying high

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Hiwassee Dam – Dampened by four postponements – the result of Winter Storm Gianna sweeping across western North Carolina – the Black Knights only hit the hardwood once last week. Robbinsville traveled to the westernmost high school in the state Jan.
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.
Lady Knights senior Abby Wehr looks to evade the interior defense of Andrews' Alexis Beasley during Friday's clash. The following evening at Smoky Mountain, Wehr delivered a 30-point performance for Robbinsville in a victory over the Mustangs. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Lady Knights senior Abby Wehr looks to evade the interior defense of Andrews' Alexis Beasley during Friday's clash. The following evening at Smoky Mountain, Wehr delivered a 30-point performance for Robbinsville in a victory over the Mustangs. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Wehr dusts Mustangs for 30

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Abby Wehr made sure that Robbinsville's first conference loss of the season didn't linger for long. One night removed from a tough 55-46 road loss to Andrews, the Lady Knights senior unleashed a 30-point showcase at Smoky Mountain on Saturday.
Dane Knott attempts to drive past Andrews’ Gabe Clark during Friday’s conference opener. Knott had a team-best 26 points in Robbinsville’s win over the Wildcats. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Dane Knott attempts to drive past Andrews’ Gabe Clark during Friday’s conference opener. Knott had a team-best 26 points in Robbinsville’s win over the Wildcats. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Knights win league debut

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Despite the raucous atmosphere inside Andrews' Ken Solesbee Athletic Center, the Robbinsville Black Knights played Friday's divisional opener with nerves of steel.
Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Bobcats in home opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Robbinsville – The home debut of the varsity basketball program Friday can only be viewed as a rousing success. Welcoming Blue Ridge School, the Lady Knights improved to 1-1 with a 51-19 victory in the opener.
Robbinsville’s Anna Williams (5) and Suri Watty (23) trap Murphy’s Ilie Smith on Tuesday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Anna Williams (5) and Suri Watty (23) trap Murphy’s Ilie Smith on Tuesday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights split 4-game schedule

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Robbinsville – Four games in as many school days kept the local high school basketball stars busy.
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.
Senior Darion Ledbetter (5) works into the paint and looks to split the defense of North Buncombe’s Cole Edmonds (11) and Tripp Switzer (20) on Jan. 8. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Senior Darion Ledbetter (5) works into the paint and looks to split the defense of North Buncombe’s Cole Edmonds (11) and Tripp Switzer (20) on Jan. 8. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Black Knights end 4-game skid

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Robbinsville – After a tough stretch of losses – which included a pair of 3-point defeats – the Black Knights finally reversed their fortunes Tuesday night. Winless since leaving Hiwassee Dam (6-6) on the better end of a 79-51 blowout Dec.
Liz Carpenter pulls down a rebound during Tuesday’s season opener against Nantahala. The junior small forward finished the game with a team-best 19 points. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Liz Carpenter pulls down a rebound during Tuesday’s season opener against Nantahala. The junior small forward finished the game with a team-best 19 points. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Flyin’ high

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 8, 2023
Robbinsville – Between the Lady Knights and Black Knights, a whopping 163 points sank through the nets during Tuesday’s two-game debuts against Nantahala.
Brock Adams takes flight Monday at Highlands. Robbinsville’s senior point guard was one of three Black Knights to reach double digits in the victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams takes flight Monday at Highlands. Robbinsville’s senior point guard was one of three Black Knights to reach double digits in the victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ain’t no mountain high enough

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 20, 2023
Highlands – From the opening tip, it was all Robbinsville. With Friday’s trek to Hiwassee Dam postponed due to inclement weather, the Black Knights’ only action of the week came at another Little Smoky Mountain Conference school Monday: a trip to Highlands.