SMCBB

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips tries to slow down the progress of Murphy’s Torin Rogers on Tuesday. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips tries to slow down the progress of Murphy’s Torin Rogers on Tuesday. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Near miss

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights had the Bulldogs on the ropes Tuesday night. Unfortunately, some late heroics for the visitors proved costly.
Bryce Adams (10) stretches to out-rebound Highlands’ Kasen Mitchell on Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bryce Adams (10) stretches to out-rebound Highlands’ Kasen Mitchell on Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Comeback tour continues

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – The Black Knights have captured lightning in a bottle. Winners of its last five games, Robbinsville (9-9, 3-4) has consistently pleaded its case for a postseason appearance, which would snap a four-year drought.
Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips (24) and Halee Anderson apply heavy pressure to Highlands’ Julia Schmitt during Jan. 20’s road victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips (24) and Halee Anderson apply heavy pressure to Highlands’ Julia Schmitt during Jan. 20’s road victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights on 5-game tear

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Set ‘em up; the Lady Knights will knock them down. Robbinsville (11-4, 5-1) has won five in a row, most recently toppling Highlands (8-8) in a Jan. 20 road game 59-29, before thrashing Swain County (6-12, 2-4) at home Tuesday, 61-44.
Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils purged

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Never, ever count out the Black Knights. With just seven players dressed out, Robbinsville (7-9, 2-4) upended the Swain County Maroon Devils (13-6, 4-2) – who sit in second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference standings – Tuesday night, in a 56-55 thriller.
Junior point guard Desta Trammell scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night against Swain County. Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford presented Trammell with a commemorative ball after the game. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Junior point guard Desta Trammell scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night against Swain County. Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford presented Trammell with a commemorative ball after the game. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Trammell hits 1,000

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – With 2:30 left in the first quarter of Tuesday’s home game against Swain County, Lady Knights junior point guard Desta Trammell dished the ball to classmate and lifelong friend/teammate Kensley Phillips in the corner.
Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez drives past Cherokee’s Erin Rogers for a second-half basket on Jan. 13. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez drives past Cherokee’s Erin Rogers for a second-half basket on Jan. 13. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Just one more hill to climb

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cherokee – There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Cherokee plays physical basketball. However, Robbinsville (9-4, 4-1) persevered in a Jan. 13 road game with the Lady Braves nonetheless, taking its lumps en route to a significant 65-52 win.
Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights freshman Bryce Adams lines up a corner shot Jan. 13 at Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Cashing in a win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cashiers – The Black Knights are having to readjust their program, a little over midway through the season. Down to eight players, Robbinsville has struggled to find its identity as of late, often faltering in the late stages of games the team seemingly had in hand.
Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Donovan Carpenter focuses on a second-half bucket during Friday’s 51-44 loss to Hayesville. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights fall to Blackhawks, Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – The Knights had the right game plan for Friday’s tilt with Hayesville: neutralize Jake McTaggart.
Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Desta Trammell airs out an inside shot Friday against Robbinsville. The junior point guard put up 25 against the Lady Jackets, surpassing the 900-point career threshold in the Lady Knights’ 64-38 win. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Split bill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – Through four Smoky Mountain Conference games this season, the varsity Lady Knights have outscored their opponents 237-133. Behind a 25-point performance from junior point guard Desta Trammell on Friday night, Hayesville rapidly became the latest Robbinsville foe to fall.
Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips splits a pair of Tellico Plains defenders Dec. 30. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips splits a pair of Tellico Plains defenders Dec. 30. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights right the ship

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Robbinsville – Needless to say, things fell in place for the Lady Knights on Tuesday.