SMCBB

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips pulls away from the defensive pursuit of Andrews’ Gracelyn Worley (22) and Demi Davis (15) on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips pulls away from the defensive pursuit of Andrews’ Gracelyn Worley (22) and Demi Davis (15) on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights back in the win column

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Fresh off losing their first conference opener since a 66-60 loss at Hayesville on Dec. 20, 2019, the Lady Knights could have felt dejected as they headed into Friday’s showdown with Murphy (1-7, 1-2). Instead, Robbinsville showed up and showed out.
Despite the best efforts of Wildcat Cameron Rattler, Robbinsville junior shooting guard Donovan Carpenter soars toward the net during Tuesday’s win over Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Despite the best efforts of Wildcat Cameron Rattler, Robbinsville junior shooting guard Donovan Carpenter soars toward the net during Tuesday’s win over Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Who’s next?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Andrews – At this point, one has to wonder: just who can stop Robbinsville’s pursuit of history? Following a 52-43 triumph Tuesday at Andrews, the Black Knights are off to their best start ever: 7-0.
Robbinsville’s Liz Carpenter (23) and Kensley Phillips slow down the drive of North Buncombe’s Peyton Whitson on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Liz Carpenter (23) and Kensley Phillips slow down the drive of North Buncombe’s Peyton Whitson on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Blackhawks clip Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – The chips simply did not fall in the Lady Knights’ favor. In what evolved into a back-and-forth tussle, Robbinsville (3-2, 0-1) incurred its first loss of the season Friday, dropping a 47-46 heartbreaker to the North Buncombe Blackhawks.
Senior point guard Brock Adams (right) breaks away from a North Buncombe defender in the first half of Robbinsville’s double-overtime win over the Blackhawks on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Senior point guard Brock Adams (right) breaks away from a North Buncombe defender in the first half of Robbinsville’s double-overtime win over the Blackhawks on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

2x the pleasure; 2x the fun

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Robbinsville – In the end, the Black Knights would not be denied. With a perfect season on the line, Robbinsville and North Buncombe were tied 57-57 late in Friday’s non-conference clash.
Xander Wachacha searches for an open player during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Wachacha’s 19 points led the Black Knights in an overtime win over the Mustangs, before the junior guard unloaded a team-best 22 points against Highlands on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Xander Wachacha searches for an open player during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Wachacha’s 19 points led the Black Knights in an overtime win over the Mustangs, before the junior guard unloaded a team-best 22 points against Highlands on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights make thrilling return to court

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – If the season debut was any indication of things to come, Black Knights’ fans are in for another non-stop thrill ride this year. Robbinsville jumped ahead 20-10 over the Smoky Mountain Mustangs in Nov. 30’s opener, before falling behind 43-37 by the end of the third.
Desta Trammell speeds up the floor during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Trammell’s historic, consecutive free-throw streak ended in the Lady Knights’ campaign debut, but she still lead the team in three different categories – including a 26-point evening. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Desta Trammell speeds up the floor during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Trammell’s historic, consecutive free-throw streak ended in the Lady Knights’ campaign debut, but she still lead the team in three different categories – including a 26-point evening. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Blemish marks end of streak

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – Don’t worry; Desta Trammell heard the whispers. Even though it is superstition in the world of sports to not talk about a streak, Trammell had not forgotten that she carried an improbable run of 59 consecutive free throws made into Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain.
Robbinsville seniors Brock Adams (left) and Kensley Phillips were recently named as the school’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship winners. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville seniors Brock Adams (left) and Kensley Phillips were recently named as the school’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship winners. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Success pays off

News Staff
Friday, November 11, 2022
Robbinsville – A pair of Black Knight seniors were recently awarded for their academic and athletic endeavors. Brock Adams and Kensley Phillips were selected last week as Robbinsville’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship recipients.
Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (seated, center) signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan on May 5. Sitting with Jimenez is Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs head coach Jeff Rice (left) and Robbinsville Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford. Standing in back (from left) are brother Carson Lovin, sister Cambrie Lovin, legal guardians Brandon and Haley Lovin, and brother Luke Lovin.

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (seated, center) signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan on May 5. Sitting with Jimenez is Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs head coach Jeff Rice (left) and Robbinsville Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford. Standing in back (from left) are brother Carson Lovin, sister Cambrie Lovin, legal guardians Brandon and Haley Lovin, and brother Luke Lovin.

Biting into collegiate competition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights’ prolific power forward will carry her talents to the next level. Yeika Jimenez officially committed to play college basketball for the Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs – an Athens, Tenn.
Robbinsville’s Yeika Jimenez was named the 1A West/Midwest Girls All-Star Game MVP, following her performance in Saturday’s exhibition at Highlands School. Presenting Jimenez with her award is (from left) Greg Grantham, executive director of the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association; Que Tucker, commissioner of the N.C. High School Athletic Association; and Dr. Bud Black, executive director of the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Games. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Yeika Jimenez was named the 1A West/Midwest Girls All-Star Game MVP, following her performance in Saturday’s exhibition at Highlands School. Presenting Jimenez with her award is (from left) Greg Grantham, executive director of the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association; Que Tucker, commissioner of the N.C. High School Athletic Association; and Dr. Bud Black, executive director of the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Games. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hey now, you’re an All-Star

Kevin Hensley
Monday, March 28, 2022
Highlands – For the first time since 2019, the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Games took place. And Robbinsville’s basketball program made sure to leave its mark on the evening, which played out at Highlands School.