SMCBB

Desta Trammell signed to play basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne University on May 3. Seated with her are mother Kimm (left) and father Ritchie. Standing in back (from left) are cousin Shayla Bush, grandmother Beverly Camden, grandfather Wesley Trammell and grandmother Lib Trammell. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Desta Trammell signed to play basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne University on May 3. Seated with her are mother Kimm (left) and father Ritchie. Standing in back (from left) are cousin Shayla Bush, grandmother Beverly Camden, grandfather Wesley Trammell and grandmother Lib Trammell. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Grin and Bear it

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Robbinsville – It was really just a formality. After all, Desta Trammell has known for years that she wanted to play for the Lenoir-Rhyne University Lady Bears, a NCAA Division II program out of Hickory. She entertained offers from six different institutions.
Surrounded by family, Robbinsville senior Brock Adams signed to play basketball at Bryan College on Monday. Sitting with Brock are his mother Andrea and father Tommy. Standing in back (from left) are grandparents Roger and Lisa Orr; brothers, Bryce and Reece Adams; and grandparents Louise and Boyd Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Surrounded by family, Robbinsville senior Brock Adams signed to play basketball at Bryan College on Monday. Sitting with Brock are his mother Andrea and father Tommy. Standing in back (from left) are grandparents Roger and Lisa Orr; brothers, Bryce and Reece Adams; and grandparents Louise and Boyd Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lion’s Share of success

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Robbinsville – When a Letter of Intent is about to be signed, there is normally so much emotion that speeches are hard to come by. But much as he did his entire life as a Black Knight, Brock Adams refused to let the moment get in the way.
All the speculation concerning where Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell would play college basketball was resolved April 11, when she announced her commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos courtesy of Faith Trammell/Contributing Photographer

All the speculation concerning where Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell would play college basketball was resolved April 11, when she announced her commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photos courtesy of Faith Trammell/Contributing Photographer

Another college, another Trammell

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell officially made her choice known April 11, opting to continue her basketball career at Lenoir-Rhyne University. With Trammell is Bears assistant coach Mikayla Ray (left) and head coach Graham Smith. Hickory – Desta Trammell will play on.
Kensley Phillips cuts past Mitchell's Mary Beth Woody during the second half of the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Game on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kensley Phillips cuts past Mitchell's Mary Beth Woody during the second half of the 1A West/Midwest All-Star Game on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hey now, you’re All-Stars

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 23, 2023
It truly speaks volumes about the success of your program when you can send four players to two different showcases to end their high-school careers.

5 athletes, 5 awards

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Robbinsville – The Black Knights were no slouch in providing the fanbase with a historic season of their own. The non-stop thrill ride included five overtime victories; a perfect 13-0 record at home (in fact, Robbinsville has not lost a home game since Jan. 7, 2022, a 51-44 loss to Hayesville.
Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was recently announced as the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year – her second time earning the distinction. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Desta Trammell was recently announced as the 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year – her second time earning the distinction. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Pursuit of her Destanee: complete

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Liz Carpenter, Sophomore, All-Conference ​​​ Robbinsville – What else can be written about Desta Trammell? She has grown up loving the sport of basketball. The competitiveness. The tenacity. The skill. The discipline. The ups. The downs.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights were understandably distraught while accepting the 1A Western Regional Runner-Up plaque after dropping the game 41-30 to Bishop McGuinness. All names are listed from left. Front row: Desta Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Bella Ford, Fala Welch and Suri Watty. Back row: Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha, Bentley Riggs, Abby Wehr, Anna Williams, Katie-Lyn Gross, Anna York and Maleah Cox. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights were understandably distraught while accepting the 1A Western Regional Runner-Up plaque after dropping the game 41-30 to Bishop McGuinness. All names are listed from left. Front row: Desta Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Bella Ford, Fala Welch and Suri Watty. Back row: Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha, Bentley Riggs, Abby Wehr, Anna Williams, Katie-Lyn Gross, Anna York and Maleah Cox. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall short in regional final

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Senior Fala Welch scored the final basket of Robbinsville's season in the closing seconds of Saturday's 1A Western Regional Final. Morganton – The deepest playoff run in Lady Knights’ basketball history was halted in the state semifinals on Saturday.
A foul shot late in Saturday’s third-round playoff game at Eastern Randolph gave Robbinsville senior Brock Adams his 1,000th career point. He finished his Black Knights run holding steady to the tally. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

A foul shot late in Saturday’s third-round playoff game at Eastern Randolph gave Robbinsville senior Brock Adams his 1,000th career point. He finished his Black Knights run holding steady to the tally. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Magic disappears

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Ramseur – On the final offering from the charity stripe of his high-school chapter, Brock Adams sank his 1,000th career point. Talk about cutting it close.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather for the final “W” photo they will take on their home court, after polishing off the Draughn Lady Wildcats 65-41 in the fourth round of the state playoffs. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna York, Suri Watty, Maleah Cox, Abby Wehr, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha and Liz Carpenter. Back row: Bella Ford, Bentley Riggins, Katie-Lyn Gross, Desta Trammell, Anna Williams and Kensley Phillips. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather for the final “W” photo they will take on their home court, after polishing off the Draughn Lady Wildcats 65-41 in the fourth round of the state playoffs. All names are listed from left. Front row: Anna York, Suri Watty, Maleah Cox, Abby Wehr, Olivia Lewis, Aubrie Wachacha and Liz Carpenter. Back row: Bella Ford, Bentley Riggins, Katie-Lyn Gross, Desta Trammell, Anna Williams and Kensley Phillips. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

'We proved everybody wrong'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Freshman guard Suri Watty brings the ball up the floor during Feb. 23's second-round road win over the Albemarle Lady Bulldogs. Photo courtesy of Marjorie Jaynes/Albemarle High School Robbinsville – A lot of positive factors have to fall in place to reach the semifinals of the state tournament.
Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford draws up a play during a timeout at Feb. 25's, third-round postseason game against Eastern Randolph. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford draws up a play during a timeout at Feb. 25's, third-round postseason game against Eastern Randolph. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights face Villains in first regional-finals appearance

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Morganton — The deepest playoff run in Lady Knights basketball history was halted in the state semifinals on Saturday.