SMCBB

Senior center Aubrie Wachacha rips free from a rebound struggle with Highlands on Jan. 4. Wachacha’s early run in the game set the path for Robbinsville to conquer the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Senior center Aubrie Wachacha rips free from a rebound struggle with Highlands on Jan. 4. Wachacha’s early run in the game set the path for Robbinsville to conquer the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Another conference setback

Robbinsville – Coming off a decisive 45-29 win over Highlands on Jan. 4 – vindicating a 51-48 overtime triumph at Highlands on Dec. 8 – the Lady Knights appeared poised to steer the ship back on course in divisional action Friday.
Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter unloads a  corner jumper during the second half of Friday’s win over Hayesville. Carpenter’s 14-point evening led Robbinsville’s output. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Black Knights senior Donovan Carpenter unloads a corner jumper during the second half of Friday’s win over Hayesville. Carpenter’s 14-point evening led Robbinsville’s output. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

(Home) court is in session

Robbinsville – With three straight road games against Little Smoky Mountain Conference schools on the docket ahead, the Black Knights’ resounding defense of their home court will be put on ice.
Forward Bryce Adams fights through the interior defense of Smoky Mountain’s Cameron Fowler (5) and Ace Pregner (14) on Dec. 27. Although the junior’s efforts in the game resulted in a double-double, the Black Knights suffered their first loss of the year. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Forward Bryce Adams fights through the interior defense of Smoky Mountain’s Cameron Fowler (5) and Ace Pregner (14) on Dec. 27. Although the junior’s efforts in the game resulted in a double-double, the Black Knights suffered their first loss of the year. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Unplanned re-run

Kenyon Swimmer unloads a jumper during Robbinsville’s win over Veritas Christian Academy on Dec. 28. Sylva – The Black Knights were adamant about what they hoped to accomplish in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational: win and win out.
Suri Watty was lights out from beyond the arc in Dec. 27’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational opener, posting six in Robbinsville’s victory over the Lady Mustangs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Suri Watty was lights out from beyond the arc in Dec. 27’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational opener, posting six in Robbinsville’s victory over the Lady Mustangs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Back on track

Junior guard Claire Barlow works out of the corner and around the defense of Brevard’s Ella Scott on Dec. 29. Barlow finished with a team-best 19 points in the Christmas tournament finale.
With Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen (12) sprinting to cut off the progress, Liz Carpenter breaks toward the home basket during Tuesday’s loss to the Lady Wildcats. Despite Carpenter’s 21-point showing, the Knights suffered their first setback of the season. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

With Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen (12) sprinting to cut off the progress, Liz Carpenter breaks toward the home basket during Tuesday’s loss to the Lady Wildcats. Despite Carpenter’s 21-point showing, the Knights suffered their first setback of the season. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Wildcats stun Lady Knights

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were not prepared for what transpired on their home court Tuesday.
Robbinsville’s Quinn Jumper ducks around Andrews’ Gabe Clark during the Black Knights’ win over the Wildcats on Tuesday. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Quinn Jumper ducks around Andrews’ Gabe Clark during the Black Knights’ win over the Wildcats on Tuesday. Photo by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Back in the swing of things

Robbinsville – Head coach Jake Beasley has seen the best of times and the worst of times for the Black Knights’ varsity program. Right now definitely leans on the “best” side of the fence; perhaps the best Robbinsville has seen in its existence.
Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (21) jostles with Smoky Mountain’s Kieara Ensley (2) and Julia Macauley over a rebound during the Lady Knights’ win over the Lady Mustangs on Dec. 7. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (21) jostles with Smoky Mountain’s Kieara Ensley (2) and Julia Macauley over a rebound during the Lady Knights’ win over the Lady Mustangs on Dec. 7. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Lady Knights shake off overtime road scare

Anna Williams (left) attempts to evade a Smoky Mountain defender in Robbinsville’s successful JV season opener Dec. 7. Highlands – The trip to Highlands School often produces a mixed reaction from any team that endures the winding journey to the plateau.
Dane Knott shouts instructions to the Black Knights in the ealry moments of Robbinsville’s win over Smoky Mountain on Dec. 7. A sophomore, Knott has taken the reins as the Knights’ point guard this season. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Dane Knott shouts instructions to the Black Knights in the ealry moments of Robbinsville’s win over Smoky Mountain on Dec. 7. A sophomore, Knott has taken the reins as the Knights’ point guard this season. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Varsity boys flexing in early portion of season

Kyzik Teesateskie eyes an inside shot during the first half of Dec. 7's tango with Smoky Mountain.
Liz Carpenter pulls down a rebound during Tuesday’s season opener against Nantahala. The junior small forward finished the game with a team-best 19 points. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Liz Carpenter pulls down a rebound during Tuesday’s season opener against Nantahala. The junior small forward finished the game with a team-best 19 points. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Flyin’ high

Robbinsville – Between the Lady Knights and Black Knights, a whopping 163 points sank through the nets during Tuesday’s two-game debuts against Nantahala.
Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was named as the 2023 Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Division II Female Athlete of the Year, Major Sport at Sunday’s WNC Sports Awards Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was named as the 2023 Wells Fargo Advisors/Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Division II Female Athlete of the Year, Major Sport at Sunday’s WNC Sports Awards Banquet. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Shuler, Trammell honored as best in WNC

Asheville – Sunday’s 61st WNC Sports Awards Banquet simply confirmed to the rest of Western North Carolina what the Knights’ fanbase already knew: Zoie Shuler and Desta Trammell are two of the most elite athletes to ever wear a Robbinsville uniform.