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Elijah Kirkland seemingly reaches into the lights – and over the plea of Andrews’ Tanner Postell – for two of his Black Knights-best 15 points in Dec. 14’s home win over the Wildcats. Photo courtesy of Jozlyn Garland/Contributing Photographer

On cusp of perfection

Kevin Hensley

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Robbinsville’s Bella Coats storms past the corner defense of Andrews’ Juliet Holloway on Dec. 14. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com Martins Creek – Things are pretty well in the bag at this juncture for the middle school Black Knights. Robbinsville (12-0) has already clinched the No.

Cameron Allison – shown taking flight in Nov. 30’s home game against Swain County – produced back-to-back, 22-point performances in the last week for Robbinsville’s 10-0, middle school Black Knights. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights now 10-0

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Robbinsville – When the Hiwassee Dam/Ranger rolled into the Robbinsville Elementary School Gym parking lot Dec. 7, a lot of anticipation followed suit. The second game of the year was in the back of both teams’ minds: Robbinsville had won the Nov. 9 appointment, 52-44.

Carsan Snider (22) passes to Micah York late in Robbinsville Middle School’s 63-32, home victory over Swain County on Nov. 30. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

We meet again

Kevin Hensley

Friday, December 8, 2023

Robbinsville Middle School’s boys basketball team has taken care of business in each of its assignments thus far. The closest threat to a blemish came early in the campaign – the second game of the year, to be exact. Robbinsville prevailed 52-44 over Hiwassee Dam/Ranger on Nov.

Tim Grant (14) swats the ball out of Camren Robinson's possession during Robbinsville's rout over Martins Creek on Nov. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights sting Jackets

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Hayesville – The post-Thanksgiving, turkey hangover failed to affect the Robbinsville Middle School basketball program.

Daphne Barlow (22) cuts between the defense of Cherokee’s Cambry Stamper (1) and Lilly Lossiah during a fourth-quarter, fast-break Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights off to 3-0 start

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Robbinsville – It did not take long for the pieces to fall into place. Rather than carrying a negative attitude on the first road trip of the season, the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights left a stunning 47-46, season-opening loss to Murphy in the rearview mirror.

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.

The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights gathered on the court with their runner-up plaque after the conference-tournament finale Jan. 19 at Murphy.

Middle school Knights drop tournament finals to Braves

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Murphy – The Black Knights pushed their season to its latest possible game: the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament finals. But Robbinsville’s dance partner in the Jan. 19 title showdown was Cherokee, a team that had its number during the regular season.

Don't adjust your sets; that's a basketball score

Kevin Hensley

Friday, January 20, 2023

Murphy – Well, that’s one way to send a message to the rest of the field. Robbinsville (No. 3 seed, 9-4) shutout Swain County (No. 6) in the first half of the Smoky Mountain Conference Middle School Tournament quarterfinal Monday, heading into the locker room with a 35-0 advantage at the break.

Robbinsville’s Eli Lambert (12) splits a pair of Maroon-Devil defenders during the Black Knights’ win over Swain County on Jan. 5. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school hoops splits final slate

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Lady Knight Chloe Adams pulls away from a Swain County defender for a second-half transition basket Jan. 5. Robbinsville – Both of Graham County’s middle school basketball programs kickstarted 2023 with a bang, overcoming tight deficits to pick up a pair of home victories.

Robbinsville Middle School’s Xamuel Wachacha weaves through heavy transition traffic Dec. 5 against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Black Knights enter pause 7-3

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Hayesville – With the top scorer back from a harrowing injury – and already showing flashes of brilliance – it is probably a good thing for opponents that the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights have a Christmas break ahead. Their latest foray carried the program to Clay County on Dec.