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Zirriyah Wachacha drives to the basket Dec. 5 against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zirriyah Wachacha drives to the basket Dec. 5 against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights again tame Cats

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Andrews – In its only action of the week, Robbinsville Middle School once again swept its Cherokee-County neighbors. A quick Dec. 8 zip to Andrews netted the middle-school girls a 34-26 win over the Wildcats, with the middle-school boys picking up a 33-30 triumph.

2nd-half woes doom Knights

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – With 1:30 left before halftime, Tucker Jones drove into the paint and put up a floater that sank through the basket, giving the middle school Black Knights a 25-24 lead over Cherokee. From that point forward, Robbinsville scored just 15 more points in the game.
Robbinsville Middle’s Cameron Allison glides to the basket during home action Nov. 17 against Hayesville. Four days later, Allison was seriously injured at Swain County, when a Maroon Devils player slammed the 13-year-old to the floor late in the game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle’s Cameron Allison glides to the basket during home action Nov. 17 against Hayesville. Four days later, Allison was seriously injured at Swain County, when a Maroon Devils player slammed the 13-year-old to the floor late in the game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Troubling incident leads to game ending early

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
Bryson City – It has to be one of every parent’s worst nightmares: you witness your child being attacked, and you can’t get there in time to stop it.
Eli Lambert (second from right) is greeted cheerfully by his teammates Nov. 17, moments after he drained a 3-pointer at the final buzzer to stamp Robbinsville Middle School’s 45-27 win over Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Eli Lambert (second from right) is greeted cheerfully by his teammates Nov. 17, moments after he drained a 3-pointer at the final buzzer to stamp Robbinsville Middle School’s 45-27 win over Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville continues perfect run at home

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Simply put, the middle-school Black Knights shine on their home court. Robbinsville (3-1) came to life after halftime Nov. 17’s tilt against Hayesville, dropping 31 across the final two quarters in a 45-27 stifling of the Jackets.
Surrounded by a flock of Eagles, Xamuel Wachacha soars toward the basket during the Nov. 3 season opener against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Surrounded by a flock of Eagles, Xamuel Wachacha soars toward the basket during the Nov. 3 season opener against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Not 1 or 2, but 3x the excitement

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Robbinsville – It took three extra periods, but the Knights got the job done. The Robbinsville Middle School boys carved out their second win of the season in exhausting fashion, using an 9-0 shutout in a third overtime session to best Andrews 49-40 on Nov. 10.
Zayleigh Chekeleelee outpaces the pursuit of Hiwassee Dam/Ranger defenders for a lay-up during the Nov. 3 season opener. Chekeleelee led the Lady Knights with a 10-point afternoon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zayleigh Chekeleelee outpaces the pursuit of Hiwassee Dam/Ranger defenders for a lay-up during the Nov. 3 season opener. Chekeleelee led the Lady Knights with a 10-point afternoon. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school hoops tips off

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 11, 2022
Robbinsville – It might be a few more weeks before the high school Knights begin their latest basketball season, but the next generation of varsity superstars tipped their year off Nov. 3.
Prior to Monday’s game, Robbinsville Middle School recognized the 8th-grade members of its basketball program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna Williams, Katie Lyn Gross, Lady Knights manager Jernie Greene, Maleah Cox and Abby Wehr. Back row: Luke Lovin, Dane Knott, Isiac Collins, Tillman Adams, Owen Blevins, Dane Daniels, Kyzik Teesateskie, Benny Moose, Tyler Patton, Javian Blair and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Monday’s game, Robbinsville Middle School recognized the 8th-grade members of its basketball program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna Williams, Katie Lyn Gross, Lady Knights manager Jernie Greene, Maleah Cox and Abby Wehr. Back row: Luke Lovin, Dane Knott, Isiac Collins, Tillman Adams, Owen Blevins, Dane Daniels, Kyzik Teesateskie, Benny Moose, Tyler Patton, Javian Blair and Kasen Buchanan. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights roll in home finale against Hornets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – From the opening tip, it was all Black Knights. In a boys-only showcase against the Martins Creek Hornets on Monday, Robbinsville (8-4) finished the home slate of its season with a 67-7 victory.
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

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.
Dane Knott put up 27 points Monday at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Through seven games this season, the middle school Black Knight is averaging 14 points a game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Dane Knott put up 27 points Monday at Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Through seven games this season, the middle school Black Knight is averaging 14 points a game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights sprint past Devils, Eagles

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Bryson City – Down by 17 at halftime, the Black Knights could easily have thrown in the towel. However, Robbinsville (5-2) refused to go down without a fight, putting up 36 points in the second half of the Nov. 18 road game at Swain County and ultimately edging the Maroon Devils 54-53.