SMCBB

Jeb Shuler, Drey Keener, Nathan Collins and Eddie Brooms (from left) could not contain their excitement after Robbinsville bested Murphy in a 62-60 overtime thriller Tuesday night. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Jeb Shuler, Drey Keener, Nathan Collins and Eddie Brooms (from left) could not contain their excitement after Robbinsville bested Murphy in a 62-60 overtime thriller Tuesday night. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Roll with the changes

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 29, 2021
Robbinsville – It’s official: the Smoky Mountain Conference has been put on notice. The Robbinsville Black Knights have grown weary of cellar-dwelling in the division and are changing the narrative.
In the moments following Robbinsville’s 67-53 win over Murphy on Tuesday night, it was tough for the Lady Knights to know exactly which camera to look at, as multiple sources attempted to capture the first post-game memory of the victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

In the moments following Robbinsville’s 67-53 win over Murphy on Tuesday night, it was tough for the Lady Knights to know exactly which camera to look at, as multiple sources attempted to capture the first post-game memory of the victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The streak stops here

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 29, 2021
Robbinsville – It had been two years, 26 consecutive division wins and 42 regular-season wins in a row since the Murphy Lady Bulldogs had fallen. But long after the Bulldogs suffered a 34-29 road loss at the hands of Hayesville on Jan. 10, 2019, Robbinsville eyed redemption.
With Kensley Phillips (left) sprinting to back up the drive and Cherokee’s Praire Toineeta attempting to thwart the push, Robbinsville’s Halee Anderson eyes the basket during Friday’s 70-57 road loss to the Lady Braves. Photo by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

With Kensley Phillips (left) sprinting to back up the drive and Cherokee’s Praire Toineeta attempting to thwart the push, Robbinsville’s Halee Anderson eyes the basket during Friday’s 70-57 road loss to the Lady Braves. Photo by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

Minor hiccup

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Cherokee – Fresh off an 8-day quarantine and a pair of practices, the Robbinsville Lady Knights felt ready to return to the court.
Robbinsville’s Drey Keener (21) reaches out to stop a shot from Cherokee’s Jordan Arkansas during Friday’s 100-81 loss to the Braves. Photo by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

Robbinsville’s Drey Keener (21) reaches out to stop a shot from Cherokee’s Jordan Arkansas during Friday’s 100-81 loss to the Braves. Photo by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

Perimeter blues

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Cherokee – A nice first-half pace was not enough for Robbinsville.
Brock Adams races past Hayesville's Brady Shook on a fast break during Friday's 60-56 loss to the Jackets. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams races past Hayesville's Brady Shook on a fast break during Friday's 60-56 loss to the Jackets. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Too little, too late

Kevin Hensley
Monday, January 18, 2021
For much of the fourth quarter Friday night, Robbinsville seemed destined to complete a comeback.
Lady Knights’ basketball players Desta Trammell, Gabby Hooper, Lina Pagan, Kensley Phillips, Halee Anderson, Dallas Garrett, Zoie Shuler, Aubrie Wachacha, Linsey Orr, Karcee Dooley and Yeika Jimenez – as well as head coach Lucas Ford and assistant coaches Kadey Phillips and Eddie Howell (from left) – line up for the playing of the national anthem before the Jan. 5 season opener against Rosman. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights’ basketball players Desta Trammell, Gabby Hooper, Lina Pagan, Kensley Phillips, Halee Anderson, Dallas Garrett, Zoie Shuler, Aubrie Wachacha, Linsey Orr, Karcee Dooley and Yeika Jimenez – as well as head coach Lucas Ford and assistant coaches Kadey Phillips and Eddie Howell (from left) – line up for the playing of the national anthem before the Jan. 5 season opener against Rosman. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

COVID shuts down Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley
Monday, January 18, 2021
Robbinsville – It was just a matter of time before the global pandemic affected local sports. Following the Jan. 5 home season opener with Rosman, a player for the Lady Tigers tested positive for COVID-19. The athlete also had a mask exemption and logged considerable minutes in the contest.

All good things must come to an end

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Pilot Mountain – If not for a lethargic second quarter, Robbinsville very well could have advanced to the third round of the state playoffs. But the Lady Knights (No. 13 seed, 22-7) ran into offensive trouble at East Surry (No. 4 seed, 20-6) on Feb.
Robbinsville seniors Cambrie Lovin (left) and Karlyn Matheson eye an East Surry player during Thursday's game in Pilot Mountain. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville seniors Cambrie Lovin (left) and Karlyn Matheson eye an East Surry player during Thursday's game in Pilot Mountain. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights work through playoff bracket

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Pilot Mountain – Robbinsville's hopes for a state championship were dashed Thursday night. The Lady Knights (No. 13 seed, 22-7) traveled to East Surry (No. 4 seed, 19-5) for the second round of the 1A playoffs.