Nantahala

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.
With senior Kelsey Waldroup (2) looking on, Robbinsville sophomore Delaney Brooms fires a shot back to Cherokee during Tuesday’s Pink Game against the Lady Braves. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

With senior Kelsey Waldroup (2) looking on, Robbinsville sophomore Delaney Brooms fires a shot back to Cherokee during Tuesday’s Pink Game against the Lady Braves. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eye divisional showdown

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Robbinsville – Admittedly, the last time the Lady Knights faced Murphy, Robbinsville was not where it needed to be.

Down, but not out

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Robbinsville – Tuesday’s 62-47 home victory was crucial. Not only was it the Robbinsville Black Knights’ (7-4, 5-4) first win over the Cherokee Braves (6-4, 5-4) since Jan. 27, 2017 – a 53-50 home triumph – but it also moved Robbinsville solely into third place in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
Though exhausted, Robbinsville’s Gabby Hooper (3) begins to applaud the Lady Knights’ effort after a 77-70, triple-overtime triumph over Cherokee Lady Braves. Greeting Hooper is Kensley Phillips; Yeika Jimenez (20) is not far behind beginning the celebration. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Though exhausted, Robbinsville’s Gabby Hooper (3) begins to applaud the Lady Knights’ effort after a 77-70, triple-overtime triumph over Cherokee Lady Braves. Greeting Hooper is Kensley Phillips; Yeika Jimenez (20) is not far behind beginning the celebration. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Triple threat

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Robbinsville – For a moment, it appeared the limited audience gathered inside the Robbinsville High School gymnasium Tuesday night might get two games for the price of one. In a manner of speaking.

Eyes on the prize

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 28, 2020
Nantahala – In pre-COVID times, a 2-loss volleyball team from the Smoky Mountain Conference was all but guaranteed a spot in the 1A state playoffs. However, as the virus has altered the way high school athletics are being conducted this year, that guarantee has been kissed goodbye.
A native of Nantahala, Joshua Grant’s instruments come fret-free and are furnished with the finest animal hide around. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

A native of Nantahala, Joshua Grant’s instruments come fret-free and are furnished with the finest animal hide around. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Link to yesteryear

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Almond – Even in 2020, a tangible connection to at least two centuries of Appalachian tradition can be found.  Nantahala native – and now Almond resident – Joshua Grant builds banjos similar to those played in the region between 1820-50.

Beginning a new chapter

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Stecoah – A local resident has released a continuation to a book published 19 years ago. The Nantahala River, A History and Guide is the latest work from Stecoah resident Lance Holland.

Two games, two wins

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Robbinsville – For the first time this season, the Black Knights strung together back-to-back wins.  A big conference victory over Rosman (2-18, 1-10) on Tuesday, Feb.

Early success not enough

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Robbinsville – The second meeting of the season between Murphy and Robbinsville was surrounded by a lot of hype. For the first quarter, it appeared the Lady Knights had things well in-hand. For the remaining three quarters, the Lady Bulldogs proved different.