MaroonDevils

For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

One title down, two to go

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Bryson City – Another day, another dollar. Another dollar, another conference championship for the Robbinsville wrestling program. For the sixth consecutive season, the Knights sit atop the Smoky Mountain Conference, after knocking off Swain County 48-18 to win the regular-season title Jan.

Chloe Adams (14) looks to outpace the Swain County defense during the second half of Dec. 16’s game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights split matchups

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Robbinsville – Even when the middle school Black Knights are not at full strength, they are still dangerous. Robbinsville (7-4) was without perennial shooting guard Dane Knott for its Dec.

Robbinsville’s Xander Wachacha launches one of his three, late buckets from outside the arc Friday against Smoky Mountain. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Mad scramble falls short

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Robbinsville – It is often stated that the final score does not always tell the whole story. For the Robbinsville Black Knights, Friday’s 70-64 loss to the Smoky Mountain Mustangs contains many layers – namely, a 32-point fourth quarter, after trailing 34-20 at halftime.

Robbinsville’s defense held Swain County to just 139 total yards of offense Tuesday night. All names are from left. Front row: Drake Hill and Eddie Brooms. Second row: Haden Key, Carlos Wesley, Carson White, Carlos Lopez and Koleson Dooley. Back row: Jacob Teesateskie, Tytan Teesateskie, Tysen Greene and Ben Wachacha. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

4 days, 2 games: 2 wins

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Robbinsville – Their bodies may be bruised and battered, but the Black Knights are one win away from a third-straight Smoky Mountain Conference title.

Junior varsity Black Knight Adair Panama sprints away from the Swain County defense during the Oct. 14 season finale. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Strong finish

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Robbinsville – Defensive positives were spurned out of several offensive negatives. The Oct. 14 regular-season finale between the junior varsity Robbinsville Black Knights (3-2) and Swain County featured a combined six fumble recoveries, but just one interception.

Black Knights senior Cody Cline connects for the game-winning, 42-yard field goal Friday at Murphy. The kick sealed a 23-20 victory for Robbinsville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Field goal frenzy

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Murphy – Cody Cline will never have to pay for a meal in Robbinsville again.

Cole Patterson makes sure that Cavan Reed’s clever attempt to avoid the tag is unsuccessful, during Tuesday’s home, regular-season finale against Cherokee. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Have bats, will score

Kevin Hensley

Friday, June 11, 2021

Robbinsville – In a miraculous transformation, the Knights came out of a 20-minute rain delay Tuesday to score eight runs. Robbinsville (6-7, 6-7) trailed Cherokee 2-1 in the bottom of the second, when a weather delay halted the game.

Despite the pleas of Rosman’s Andrew Stamey, Robbinsville’s Hunter Jones swipes up after applying the tag on a 2-5 caught stealing Tuesday, which ended the bottom of the first. The Knights went on to drop the game to the Tigers, 6-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Game suspended due to rain

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Robbinsville – The Knights were well on their way to their fifth win of the season. Mother Nature seemingly had other plans. With Robbinsville (4-6, 4-6) ahead 11-3 in the bottom of the third Friday against Swain County (4-5, 4-5), another pop-up shower began to fall at Loudon Orr Memorial Field.

Robbinsville’s Alexis Panama maintains top control over Swain County’s Owen Craig during May 13’s match with the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Exorcising the demons

Kevin Hensley

Friday, May 21, 2021

Robbinsville – The two toughest programs in the Smoky Mountain Conference met head-to-head May 13. And at the end of the match, it was clear who was the top dog. Robbinsville (10-3) more than took care of business against the Swain County Maroon Devils, handing the visitors a 63-10 loss.

Robbinsville’s Kade Garrison (left) and Rossi Wachacha combined to throw a no-hitter at Andrews on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Doing things the Black Knight Way

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Andrews – The Black Knights (2-3, 2-3) pushed Rosman (3-2, 3-2) into extra innings during Robbinsville’s home opener Friday, before freshman Greyler Orr connected on an opposite-field single in the bottom of the eighth that allowed Ethan Beavers to sprint home and give the Knights a 4-3, walk-off...