LadyTigers

Ella Nelms delivers a pitch during March 3's season opener against Rosman. Nelms has not given up a run this year and has already struck out 61 batters. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Ella Nelms delivers a pitch during March 3's season opener against Rosman. Nelms has not given up a run this year and has already struck out 61 batters. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Complete shutdown

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Through the first six games of the year, Daphne Barlow has already homered twice and driven in 11 runs for the Robbinsville Lady Knights. Her first long ball came March 9 at Enka. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather with the 1A state championship runner-up plaque at half-court March 11, after dropping the title game 58-44 to Wilson Preparatory Academy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather with the 1A state championship runner-up plaque at half-court March 11, after dropping the title game 58-44 to Wilson Preparatory Academy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in 1A championship game

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Winston-Salem – A magical run for Lady Knights basketball came to a disappointing end March 11.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather with the 1A state runner-up plaque Wednesday, just minutes after falling 58-44 in the title game to Wilson Preparatory Academy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather with the 1A state runner-up plaque Wednesday, just minutes after falling 58-44 in the title game to Wilson Preparatory Academy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in 1A state title game

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Winston-Salem – A magical run for Lady Knights basketball came to a disappointing end Wednesday afternoon.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights display the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 1A Western Regional Championship, moments after defeating Andrews 53-38 in the title game Thursday at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights display the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 1A Western Regional Championship, moments after defeating Andrews 53-38 in the title game Thursday at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights win 1A Western Regional title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Lady Knights senior Abby Wehr (3) evades the defense of Lady Wildcats Juliet Holloway (4) and Knox Davis (0) for a second-half basket Thursday. Hickory – Behind explosive first and third quarters, the Lady Knights punched their ticket to its initial state finals appearance Thursday.
Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights fall in tournament quarterfinals

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Bella Coats shoots a foul shot during Feb. 12's junior varsity game at Murphy. Murphy – The Lady Knights entered the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament with vindication in mind. Sadly, the chance for redemption slipped away in the waning seconds of Feb. 17's quarterfinal clash with Andrews (No.
Robbinsville's Aaliyah Wolfe (left) keeps a watchful eye on Cherokee's Dvdaya Swimmer during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Aaliyah Wolfe (left) keeps a watchful eye on Cherokee's Dvdaya Swimmer during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights cruise to 1st conference win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Robbinsville – After suffering through some heartbreakers and tough competition, the Lady Knights collected their first divisional victory of the season Tuesday.

Middle school basketball ends regular season with wins

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
McKynlee Adams unloads a 3-pointer during Dec. 18's home game versus Andrews. Adams tallied 23 in Monday's road win over Rosman. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com Rosman – After a 17-day layoff, the Knights returned to the court for the final game of the regular season.
Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school boys hit winning streak

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 5, 2025
It took some last-second heroics, but the middle school Black Knights were able to swat the Yellow Jackets. After dropping the season opener 46-21 to Hayesville on Nov. 3, Robbinsville (6-2) found itself in a nailbiter in the return showdown Monday.
Reality sets in for members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights, moments after completing a sweep of Rosman in the second round of the state playoffs Tuesday. Pictured are Kynadee Spencer (2), Ryn Hooper (8), Zaelyn Phillips and Daphne Barlow (3). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Reality sets in for members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights, moments after completing a sweep of Rosman in the second round of the state playoffs Tuesday. Pictured are Kynadee Spencer (2), Ryn Hooper (8), Zaelyn Phillips and Daphne Barlow (3). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

3rd-round bound

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 24, 2025
Robbinsville – Pitted against a team that matches up well against them on the other side of the net, the Lady Knights were tasked with knocking off a divisional foe in their 2025 playoff debut Tuesday. Though victorious in both outings against Rosman (No.
Zaelyn Phillips spikes the ball past the defense of Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby (3) and Joscelyn Stamper (13) during Tuesday’s league-tournament semifinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zaelyn Phillips spikes the ball past the defense of Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby (3) and Joscelyn Stamper (13) during Tuesday’s league-tournament semifinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in tournament semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Hayesville – Even though Tuesday's semifinal pairing against the regular-season champions ended in defeat, the Lady Knights turned a lot of heads. Entering the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament as the No. 4 seed, Robbinsville (12-11) mowed over Andrews (No.