LadyBulldogs

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration of Peyton Brooks’ late-game bucket in Monday’s season opener against Murphy. From left are Peyton Weaver (24), Bam Nelms (11), Landen Eddings, Eli Lambert, Carsan Snider (22) and Xamuel Wachacha (15). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration of Peyton Brooks’ late-game bucket in Monday’s season opener against Murphy. From left are Peyton Weaver (24), Bam Nelms (11), Landen Eddings, Eli Lambert, Carsan Snider (22) and Xamuel Wachacha (15). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Welcome to our house

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Robbinsville – There are times words are briskly typed onto a keyboard as a way to gently inform the public how a particular game turned out for either the home team or the visitors.
Senior Tia Hall contends the defense of Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen in Robbinsville’s 4-set road victory over the Lady Wildcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior Tia Hall contends the defense of Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen in Robbinsville’s 4-set road victory over the Lady Wildcats. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Still in the hunt

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Andrews – On paper, it’s a simple-enough ask: you have three matches left, so win out. But a quick scan of the remaining schedule on that same piece of paper will quickly reveal how daunting that task will be for the Robbinsville Lady Knights.
Liz Carpenter prepares to spike the ball Tuesday, as Murphy’s Cayla Greer and Lailee Holloway line up for a block attempt. Robbinsville won the first pairing between last year’s co-Smoky Mountain Conference champions in four sets. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Liz Carpenter prepares to spike the ball Tuesday, as Murphy’s Cayla Greer and Lailee Holloway line up for a block attempt. Robbinsville won the first pairing between last year’s co-Smoky Mountain Conference champions in four sets. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Change their minds

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Murphy – The Lady Knights showed up to show out.
Despite the chilly elements Robbinsville has played in recently, Memory Frapp has warmed up at the plate. The junior unleashed home runs in back-to-back games last week. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Despite the chilly elements Robbinsville has played in recently, Memory Frapp has warmed up at the plate. The junior unleashed home runs in back-to-back games last week. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

These girls can rake

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Robbinsville – Through seven games, they have outscored their foes 85-39; ran up a team average of .393 at the plate; homered five times; and have collectively posted five triples. And pundits were concerned that the Lady Knights might have an off year.
Though she did not get much of a chance to show off her arm, Robbinsville’s Presley Caylor struck out five of the eight batters she faced in the Lady Knights’ 16-0 win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Though she did not get much of a chance to show off her arm, Robbinsville’s Presley Caylor struck out five of the eight batters she faced in the Lady Knights’ 16-0 win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school softball prevails in season opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were barely able to display the breadth of their talent in Tuesday’s season opener. In a quick 3-inning premiere, Robbinsville (1-0) toppled Murphy 16-0 on Judy Nichols Memorial Field.
Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips has already sprinted to three triples in the first four games of the year. She is batting .312 this season. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips has already sprinted to three triples in the first four games of the year. She is batting .312 this season. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Wild conference opener goes to Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Murphy – After Tuesday’s duel in Cherokee County, the Lady Knights Fast Pitch Softball Facebook page posted this quick update about the outcome, which might be the most apt descriptor of the proceedings: “A-maybe-not-so-pretty-but-thankful-to-have-a-win kind of game today.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather for the final “W” photo they will take on their home court, after polishing off the Draughn Lady Wildcats 65-41 in the fourth round of the state playoffs. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna York, Suri Watty, Maleah Cox, Abby Wehr, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha and Liz Carpenter. Back row: Bella Ford, Bentley Riggins, Katie-Lyn Gross, Desta Trammell, Anna Williams and Kensley Phillips. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather for the final “W” photo they will take on their home court, after polishing off the Draughn Lady Wildcats 65-41 in the fourth round of the state playoffs. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna York, Suri Watty, Maleah Cox, Abby Wehr, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha and Liz Carpenter. Back row: Bella Ford, Bentley Riggins, Katie-Lyn Gross, Desta Trammell, Anna Williams and Kensley Phillips. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

'We proved everybody wrong'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Freshman guard Suri Watty brings the ball up the floor during Feb. 23's second-round road win over the Albemarle Lady Bulldogs. Photo courtesy of Marjorie Jaynes/Albemarle High School Robbinsville – A lot of positive factors have to fall in place to reach the semifinals of the state tournament.
Robbinsville senior Kensley Phillips pulls away on a fast break during overtime of Feb. 16's Smoky Mountain Conference finals against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Kensley Phillips pulls away on a fast break during overtime of Feb. 16's Smoky Mountain Conference finals against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hit the road for playoffs

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Albemarle -- Playing the role of underdog Thursday, the Robbinsville Lady Knights went on the road for the second round of the playoffs. And for the second time in three seasons, Robbinsville (No. 13, 19-8) knocked off a higher-seeded team.
Sophomore small forward Liz Carpenter had 17 points for Robbinsville in the Lady Knights' tournament-semifinal win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sophomore small forward Liz Carpenter had 17 points for Robbinsville in the Lady Knights' tournament-semifinal win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights’ forwards make life hectic

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 17, 2023
Anna Williams eyes a breakaway basket during the closing seconds of Tuesday’s lopsided JV tournament win over Hayesville. Andrews – Admittedly, it took Robbinsville’s inside game over half the season to become confident.
Desta Trammell unloads one of her 8 long-range shots Monday at Hiwassee Dam. In as many weeks, Robbinsville’s senior point guard has twice broken the 40-point threshold. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Desta Trammell unloads one of her 8 long-range shots Monday at Hiwassee Dam. In as many weeks, Robbinsville’s senior point guard has twice broken the 40-point threshold. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

44 for No. 4

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Hiwassee Dam – At the end of the first half Monday, Desta Trammell had 21 of Robbinsville’s 33 points. The Lady Knights went on to prevail in a 74-65 road battle against the Hiwassee Dam Lady Eagles – with Trammell accounting for the lion’s share of the load: 44 points.