SMCMSBB

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.
Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Stung on the Chek

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Robbinsville – The middle school Lady Knights quickly reversed what looked to be a post-Thanksgiving lull Monday, drubbing Hayesville 51-36 at Robbinsville Elementary School. Competing for the first time since Nov.
Robbinsville’s Lakin Orr (14) puts up an inside shot during Nov. 21’s home game against Andrews. Photo courtesy of Kyla Garland/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville’s Lakin Orr (14) puts up an inside shot during Nov. 21’s home game against Andrews. Photo courtesy of Kyla Garland/Contributing Photographer

Lady Knights back to .500

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Robbinsville – The first quarter of Nov. 21’s home game was shaky, but the Lady Knights led 8-6 nonetheless. The second period? An 18-3 drubbing – advantage, Robbinsville.
Robbinsville’s Aaliyah Wolfe keeps a watchful eye on a Swain County player during Nov. 4’s season opener.

Robbinsville’s Aaliyah Wolfe keeps a watchful eye on a Swain County player during Nov. 4’s season opener.

Middle school Lady Knights back in win column

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights shook off back-to-back losses Nov. 14, upending the visiting Hiwassee Dam/Ranger Lady Eagles 49-35.  Robbinsville (2-3) ran away with the game by opening up a 24-6 lead at the outset of the second quarter.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Carsan Snider cuts toward the paint during Nov. 4’s season opener against Swain.

Robbinsville Middle School’s Carsan Snider cuts toward the paint during Nov. 4’s season opener against Swain.

Smoky Mountain rain

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
Sylva – For the first time in recent memory, Robbinsville met Smoky Mountain for middle school basketball action.
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.
Capping off a 17-0 season, the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights relish the moment after winning the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament Jan. 24. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Capping off a 17-0 season, the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights relish the moment after winning the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament Jan. 24. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

17-0

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville – Unmatched. Unparalleled. Unrivaled. Somewhere along the way, the 2023-24 Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights embarked on a mental mission to ensure those three descriptors prefaced any discussion about the damage they inflicted on the opposition.
Amidst a first-quarter flurry, no one was at the basket to stop Xamuel Wachacha’s transition basket – and if they dared to interfere with the proceedings, Eli Lambert had a front-row seat to the bucket. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Amidst a first-quarter flurry, no one was at the basket to stop Xamuel Wachacha’s transition basket – and if they dared to interfere with the proceedings, Eli Lambert had a front-row seat to the bucket. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

How legends are made

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Robbinsville – It was over before it really got started. Following a 10-day layoff, the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights (No. 1 seed) showed no signs of rust when they hit the floor to duke it out with the Andrews Wildcats (No. 4) in Jan.

Overtime thriller

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Robbinsville – Inclement weather has thrown the 2023-24 Smoky Mountain Conference Middle School Tournament into chaos. All six of the scheduled quarterfinal games took place Saturday, but the semifinals have been placed on ice – not once, but twice.
The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights gathered at half court in Bryson City on Monday to commemorate a 14-0 regular season after defeating Swain County in the finale. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights gathered at half court in Bryson City on Monday to commemorate a 14-0 regular season after defeating Swain County in the finale. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights cap unbeaten regular season

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Bryson City – When the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights completed the program’s first perfect regular season since a stretch of back-to-back, undefeated runs from 2009-11, there was very little fanfare.