SwainCounty

Kasen Buchanan (55), John Dominguez (74) and Tytan Teesateskie (72) crunch Swain County’s Zeke Glaspie for a loss in the first half of Friday’s shutout over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kasen Buchanan (55), John Dominguez (74) and Tytan Teesateskie (72) crunch Swain County’s Zeke Glaspie for a loss in the first half of Friday’s shutout over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils advocates

The box score from Nov. 8, 2024's game between Robbinsville and Swain County. Bryson City – Mixed into last year’s run was two different home games against a Smoky Mountain Conference foe: the Swain County Maroon Devils.
Hazeleigh Driver (right) traps a Swain County ball handler during Monday’s lopsided victory over the Lady Devils. Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Hazeleigh Driver (right) traps a Swain County ball handler during Monday’s lopsided victory over the Lady Devils. Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Black Knights sweep tip-off

Robbinsville Middle School’s Peyton Weaver sizes up a free throw late in Monday’s season opener against Swain County. Photo by Alex Parton/The Graham Star Robbinsville – One game evolved into a blowout; the other, a nailbiter. Both ended the same way, however: Robbinsville in the win column.
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

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

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.
Braylon Blevins (17) watches for Eli Lambert (11) to catch a two-point conversion pass in JV action Monday against Hayesville. Lambert completed the exchange, to round out the Black Knights’ 30-12 win. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Braylon Blevins (17) watches for Eli Lambert (11) to catch a two-point conversion pass in JV action Monday against Hayesville. Lambert completed the exchange, to round out the Black Knights’ 30-12 win. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

JV Knights miss out on repeat title bid

Robbinsville – The junior varsity Black Knights’ defense of the Smoky Mountain Conference title went right down to the wire. Scoreless after the first quarter of the Oct.
The Lady Knights prepare to defend the back row Tuesday against Swain County. Pictured are Claire Barlow, Daphne Barlow (5), Ryn Hooper and Liz Carpenter (20). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

The Lady Knights prepare to defend the back row Tuesday against Swain County. Pictured are Claire Barlow, Daphne Barlow (5), Ryn Hooper and Liz Carpenter (20). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Knights fighting for postseason spot

Robbinsville – Tuesday was one of the most important matches for Lady Knights volleyball in quite some time. Attempting to stay in the playoff conversation, Robbinsville held its annual “Pink Night” – a fundraiser for the Graham Cancer Support Group – by hosting Swain County.

Lawsuit against Swain sheriff dismissed

A lawsuit filed nearly three years ago against Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran and former Deputy Charles Robinson has been dismissed with prejudice – meaning it can never be brought back before a court. The Sept. 20 declaration by U.S. Magistrate Judge W.
Robbinsville senior Liz Carpenter (20) looks to tip the ball past Hiwassee Dam’s Olivia McNabb during Monday’s sweep of the Lady Eagles. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Liz Carpenter (20) looks to tip the ball past Hiwassee Dam’s Olivia McNabb during Monday’s sweep of the Lady Eagles. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Conference struggles continue

Cherokee – Two matches stand between the Lady Knights and a long-awaited return to the friendly confines of home. Robbinsville has been inundated with road matches this year, including playing the first 5-of-6 Smoky Mountain Conference affairs outside its home gym.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights celebrate after winning a hard-fought volley Aug. 29 at Andrews. Visible are Daphne Barlow (left), Claire Barlow, Suri Watty (6) and Liz Carpenter. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

The Robbinsville Lady Knights celebrate after winning a hard-fought volley Aug. 29 at Andrews. Visible are Daphne Barlow (left), Claire Barlow, Suri Watty (6) and Liz Carpenter. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Back on track

Cashiers – Tonight’s game against Hiwassee Dam will be the first time Robbinsville has touched its home court for a volleyball match in 16 days. A lengthy road trip concluded Monday and Tuesday, with back-to-back trips to the Highlands/Cashiers plateau.
Nothing could erase the smile of Anna Williams (4), who was greeted by her exuberant teammates following her first varsity home run Monday against Enka. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Nothing could erase the smile of Anna Williams (4), who was greeted by her exuberant teammates following her first varsity home run Monday against Enka. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Sugar Jets end Robbinsville’s perfect run

Robbinsville – Entering Monday, the question was seriously being floated around the area: can anyone derail the Robbinsville Lady Knights this year?