MaroonDevils

Black Knights hit skid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
First baseman Peyton Brooks (27) awaits the toss from pitcher Easton Shuler during March 21’s home game against Andrews.
The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Smoky Mountain Conference title returned to the Black Knights on Tuesday, following a victory over Cherokee. Standing in back (from left) are Nathan Frederick, Roman Jones, Kenyon Swimmer, Quinn Jumper, Isiac Collins, head coach Jake Beasley, Dane Knott, Kasen Buchanan, Trey Lambert, Luke Lovin, Kyzik Teesateskie, Logan Callaway and manager Joshua Satterfield. Sitting in front are Darion Ledbetter (left) and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘They deserve it’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – For the second time in three seasons, the Black Knights have claimed bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Tuesday’s 55-46 win over Cherokee wrapped up the regular-season championship for Robbinsville (17-5, 8-1), which has not lost a game since Jan. 8.
Brooke Cox, Ella Nelms and Myah Winfrey (from left) listen intently as Robbinsville head coach Brittany Snider sets up a play during a late timeout Jan. 15 at Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brooke Cox, Ella Nelms and Myah Winfrey (from left) listen intently as Robbinsville head coach Brittany Snider sets up a play during a late timeout Jan. 15 at Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights back in semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Bryson City – Following the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 Smoky Mountain Conference middle school championship tournament, one of Robbinsville’s teams is right back in the same position it was last year, while another was dismissed early. The Lady Knights (No.
Robbinsville’s Kellen Ensley brushed off a desperate attempt by North Henderson’s Aden Slusser to break up this standing single-leg to win the 215-pound bout in the third period Jan. 22. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Kellen Ensley brushed off a desperate attempt by North Henderson’s Aden Slusser to break up this standing single-leg to win the 215-pound bout in the third period Jan. 22. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Full steam ahead

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Robbinsville – State duals are right around the corner, but no matter the format in front of them when the Black Knights arrive to a gym, there is no disputing that the program is wrestling in top form. After celebrating Senior Night on Jan.
Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison prepares to shoot around the defense of Murphy’s John Parker Watson during Monday’s loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison prepares to shoot around the defense of Murphy’s John Parker Watson during Monday’s loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Middle school splits the bill

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Bryson City – A clean sweep of Swain County by Robbinsville on Dec. 5 was followed by a shaky showing at home Monday. The middle school Lady Knights (5-4) exorcised the Devils 54-16, while the Black Knights (4-5) cast out the demons 47-44.
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

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
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

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
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

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 31, 2024
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

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
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.