Highlands

Senior center Aubrie Wachacha rips free from a rebound struggle with Highlands on Jan. 4. Wachacha’s early run in the game set the path for Robbinsville to conquer the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Senior center Aubrie Wachacha rips free from a rebound struggle with Highlands on Jan. 4. Wachacha’s early run in the game set the path for Robbinsville to conquer the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Another conference setback

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Robbinsville – Coming off a decisive 45-29 win over Highlands on Jan. 4 – vindicating a 51-48 overtime triumph at Highlands on Dec. 8 – the Lady Knights appeared poised to steer the ship back on course in divisional action Friday.
Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter unloads a corner jumper during the second half of Friday’s win over Hayesville. Carpenter’s 14-point evening led Robbinsville’s output. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter unloads a corner jumper during the second half of Friday’s win over Hayesville. Carpenter’s 14-point evening led Robbinsville’s output. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

(Home) court is in session

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Robbinsville – With three straight road games against Little Smoky Mountain Conference schools on the docket ahead, the Black Knights’ resounding defense of their home court will be put on ice.
Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (21) jostles with Smoky Mountain’s Kieara Ensley (2) and Julia Macauley over a rebound during the Lady Knights’ win over the Lady Mustangs on Dec. 7. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (21) jostles with Smoky Mountain’s Kieara Ensley (2) and Julia Macauley over a rebound during the Lady Knights’ win over the Lady Mustangs on Dec. 7. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Lady Knights shake off overtime road scare

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Anna Williams (left) attempts to evade a Smoky Mountain defender in Robbinsville’s successful JV season opener Dec. 7. Highlands – The trip to Highlands School often produces a mixed reaction from any team that endures the winding journey to the plateau.
Dane Knott shouts instructions to the Black Knights in the ealry moments of Robbinsville’s win over Smoky Mountain on Dec. 7. A sophomore, Knott has taken the reins as the Knights’ point guard this season. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Dane Knott shouts instructions to the Black Knights in the ealry moments of Robbinsville’s win over Smoky Mountain on Dec. 7. A sophomore, Knott has taken the reins as the Knights’ point guard this season. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Varsity boys flexing in early portion of season

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Kyzik Teesateskie eyes an inside shot during the first half of Dec. 7's tango with Smoky Mountain.
Members of the Lady Knights volleyball team gather to sing the Robbinsville High School alma mater – a post-match tradition, when a victory is in the books – after Tuesday’s sweep over the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Lady Knights volleyball team gather to sing the Robbinsville High School alma mater – a post-match tradition, when a victory is in the books – after Tuesday’s sweep over the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

All smiles

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 15, 2023
Robbinsville – Each time they step on the court, you can sense the poise.
Senior outside hitter Delaney Brooms rises for a spike Monday against Hiwassee Dam. Her kills were too much for the Lady Eagles to handle in the match – especially in the clinching set. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Senior outside hitter Delaney Brooms rises for a spike Monday against Hiwassee Dam. Her kills were too much for the Lady Eagles to handle in the match – especially in the clinching set. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Little Smoky Smackdown

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 25, 2023
The latest Robbinsville volleyball slate can be simplified as a cliche from another sport: nine up, nine down.
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.
Robbinsville senior Desta Trammell launches an outside shot Monday at Highlands. Trammell hit a pair of 3-pointers in the Lady Knights’ loss to the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Desta Trammell launches an outside shot Monday at Highlands. Trammell hit a pair of 3-pointers in the Lady Knights’ loss to the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Too little, too late

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 20, 2023
Highlands – To begin Monday’s road game, seniors Desta Trammell and Kensley Phillips hit respective 2- and 3-point shots, to give Robbinsville the opening salvo. From there, Highlands proved to be rude hosts.
Xander Wachacha searches for an open player during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Wachacha’s 19 points led the Black Knights in an overtime win over the Mustangs, before the junior guard unloaded a team-best 22 points against Highlands on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Xander Wachacha searches for an open player during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Wachacha’s 19 points led the Black Knights in an overtime win over the Mustangs, before the junior guard unloaded a team-best 22 points against Highlands on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights make thrilling return to court

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – If the season debut was any indication of things to come, Black Knights’ fans are in for another non-stop thrill ride this year. Robbinsville jumped ahead 20-10 over the Smoky Mountain Mustangs in Nov. 30’s opener, before falling behind 43-37 by the end of the third.
Desta Trammell speeds up the floor during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Trammell’s historic, consecutive free-throw streak ended in the Lady Knights’ campaign debut, but she still lead the team in three different categories – including a 26-point evening. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Desta Trammell speeds up the floor during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Trammell’s historic, consecutive free-throw streak ended in the Lady Knights’ campaign debut, but she still lead the team in three different categories – including a 26-point evening. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Blemish marks end of streak

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – Don’t worry; Desta Trammell heard the whispers. Even though it is superstition in the world of sports to not talk about a streak, Trammell had not forgotten that she carried an improbable run of 59 consecutive free throws made into Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain.