SMCBB

With Smoky Mountain’s Ben Brown (21) looking on, Luke Lovin puts up an inside floater in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game with the Mustangs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With Smoky Mountain’s Ben Brown (21) looking on, Luke Lovin puts up an inside floater in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game with the Mustangs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Saddled with struggles

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Sylva – At every turn and circumstance, the Knights were thwarted in their quest to start 2025 off in the win column. A 4-game tilt at Smoky Mountain on Tuesday ended with Robbinsville exiting 0-4 on the evening, with only the varsity Black Knights posing a serious threat to the 3A Mustangs.
Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Blackhawks joust Black Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Weaverville – The final varsity basketball action of 2024 proved to be a tough assignment.

Bullheaded

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2024
All alone at the net, Knights senior Darion Ledbetter measures a lay-up attempt Friday against Murphy. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star Robbinsville – Despite trailing after one quarter of Friday's conference opener, the Black Knights refused to roll over and play dead.
Taking advantage of a frantic scramble inside the paint, Robbinsville senior Jozlyn Garland unloads a 3-pointer Friday against Murphy. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Taking advantage of a frantic scramble inside the paint, Robbinsville senior Jozlyn Garland unloads a 3-pointer Friday against Murphy. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Perfect run ends

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Back-to-back road losses Monday and Tuesday dampened a 4-0 start for the Robbinsville Lady Knights. It was a struggle from the opening tip-off at Hiwassee Dam (6-2), as Robbinsville (4-2, 1-1) fought all evening to make an inside presence against the Lady Eagles.
Senior Liz Carpenter sizes up a free throw Monday against Smoky Mountain. Through the first three games of the year, Carpenter is averaging 15.3 points per game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior Liz Carpenter sizes up a free throw Monday against Smoky Mountain. Through the first three games of the year, Carpenter is averaging 15.3 points per game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Knights not playing nice

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Highlands – The Lady Knights have won each of their first three games this season by a combined 13 points. "Close" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, though – a "W" is all that matters.
Bryce Adams attempts to dribble around Smoky Mountain’s Custer Pregner during Monday’s home opener. Adams has led Robbinsville’s scoreline in three of the Black Knights’ first four games this season. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams attempts to dribble around Smoky Mountain’s Custer Pregner during Monday’s home opener. Adams has led Robbinsville’s scoreline in three of the Black Knights’ first four games this season. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Plenty to brag about

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Nantahala – While their varsity counterparts were still prepping to play their first game, the Black Knights cruised to an easy victory in their 2024-25 debut. A boys-only affair at Nantahala (3-2) on Dec.
Fresh off high school graduation two months ago, Aubrie Wachacha solidified her immediate plans for the future by signing to play both volleyball and basketball at Warren Wilson College. Sitting with Wachacha are father Randy Wachacha (left), sister Amara Wachacha and mother Monaka Wachacha. Standing in back (from left) are grandmother Carolyn Wachacha, plus Debbie and John Bird. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Fresh off high school graduation two months ago, Aubrie Wachacha solidified her immediate plans for the future by signing to play both volleyball and basketball at Warren Wilson College. Sitting with Wachacha are father Randy Wachacha (left), sister Amara Wachacha and mother Monaka Wachacha. Standing in back (from left) are grandmother Carolyn Wachacha, plus Debbie and John Bird. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Plans aren’t always cut and dry

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Robbinsville – Despite interest trickling in from colleges around the region, Aubrie Wachacha knew what she wanted to do after graduating from Robbinsville High at the end of May: cosmetology school. However, life had other ideas.

8 local ballers named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 4, 2024
The 2023-24 basketball season officially wrapped up after this year’s state champions were determined over the weekend of March 15-16. With the schedule in the rearview mirror, the Smoky Mountain Conference formally announced its annual All-Conference honorees.
Darion Ledbetter turns to fire a second-half attempt Tuesday against North Stokes. Thanks to the Vikings, Robbinsville’s season came to an early halt in the first round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Darion Ledbetter turns to fire a second-half attempt Tuesday against North Stokes. Thanks to the Vikings, Robbinsville’s season came to an early halt in the first round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights fail in conquest to down Vikings

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Robbinsville – The visitors came out swinging Tuesday, opening a 10-0 lead before the Black Knights mustered their first response. However, Robbinsville (No. 16 seed, 16-8) was unable to recoup the cost of the early rush from North Stokes (No.
Robbinsville senior Delaney Brooms unloads a 3-point attempt over the defense of Hayesville’s Emma Ashe during Feb. 20’s meeting in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Knights and Jackets were paired together in the first round of the playoffs exactly one week later, with Hayesville pulling away late to advance in the postseason race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Delaney Brooms unloads a 3-point attempt over the defense of Hayesville’s Emma Ashe during Feb. 20’s meeting in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Knights and Jackets were paired together in the first round of the playoffs exactly one week later, with Hayesville pulling away late to advance in the postseason race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights unable to recreate playoff magic

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Hayesville – It was the fourth time this year that Robbinsville had drawn the Lady Jackets as its opponent. The Lady Knights made the trek to Clay County on Tuesday to face their conference rival in the first round of the state playoffs. Robbinsville (No.