LadyEagles

Benton Gibby lays it all on the line to snag a fly ball Tuesday against Hayesville. Gibby made the catch and Robbinsville went on to preserve an 11-7 win over the Yellow Jackets. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Benton Gibby lays it all on the line to snag a fly ball Tuesday against Hayesville. Gibby made the catch and Robbinsville went on to preserve an 11-7 win over the Yellow Jackets. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Buzzkills

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 25, 2024
As both the high school baseball and softball teams continue to vie for a piece of the conference title, the next generation of varsity players are showing that the standard can – and will – be matched for years to come.
Naomi Taylor – shown preparing for contact April 2 against Andrews – was keyed in during Robbinsville’s April 10 appointment at Western Carolina University, blistering three home runs in the Knights’ win over A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor – shown preparing for contact April 2 against Andrews – was keyed in during Robbinsville’s April 10 appointment at Western Carolina University, blistering three home runs in the Knights’ win over A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

We have liftoff

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Cullowhee – Entering April 10’s neutral-site game against A.C. Reynolds, Naomi Taylor had exactly one home run on her resume.

Woes of the road

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Hayesville – Try as they may, the Lady Knights could only serve one cold plate of revenge during a 3-game road trip. Robbinsville went 1-2 away from its friendly confines this week, with a season split Friday against Andrews wedged between a non-conference loss at Hiwassee Dam on Feb.
Junior guard Claire Barlow fearlessly drives through four Hiwassee Dam defenders – Katie McNabb, Brinkley Payne, Olivia McNabb and Sky Taylor (from left) – in the second half of Jan. 25’s home game with the Eagles. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Junior guard Claire Barlow fearlessly drives through four Hiwassee Dam defenders – Katie McNabb, Brinkley Payne, Olivia McNabb and Sky Taylor (from left) – in the second half of Jan. 25’s home game with the Eagles. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Reclaiming their yard: girls end home skid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Robbinsville – Completing the season sweep over a fierce conference rival helped the Lady Knights end the week with a feather in their cap.
Cameron Allison – shown taking flight in Nov. 30’s home game against Swain County – produced back-to-back, 22-point performances in the last week for Robbinsville’s 10-0, middle school Black Knights. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cameron Allison – shown taking flight in Nov. 30’s home game against Swain County – produced back-to-back, 22-point performances in the last week for Robbinsville’s 10-0, middle school Black Knights. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights now 10-0

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Robbinsville – When the Hiwassee Dam/Ranger rolled into the Robbinsville Elementary School Gym parking lot Dec. 7, a lot of anticipation followed suit. The second game of the year was in the back of both teams’ minds: Robbinsville had won the Nov. 9 appointment, 52-44.
Carsan Snider (22) passes to Micah York late in Robbinsville Middle School’s 63-32, home victory over Swain County on Nov. 30. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Carsan Snider (22) passes to Micah York late in Robbinsville Middle School’s 63-32, home victory over Swain County on Nov. 30. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

We meet again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 8, 2023
Robbinsville Middle School’s boys basketball team has taken care of business in each of its assignments thus far. The closest threat to a blemish came early in the campaign – the second game of the year, to be exact. Robbinsville prevailed 52-44 over Hiwassee Dam/Ranger on Nov.
Daphne Barlow (22) cuts between the defense of Cherokee’s Cambry Stamper (1) and Lilly Lossiah during a fourth-quarter, fast-break Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Daphne Barlow (22) cuts between the defense of Cherokee’s Cambry Stamper (1) and Lilly Lossiah during a fourth-quarter, fast-break Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights off to 3-0 start

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Robbinsville – It did not take long for the pieces to fall into place. Rather than carrying a negative attitude on the first road trip of the season, the Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights left a stunning 47-46, season-opening loss to Murphy in the rearview mirror.
Lady Knights senior Aubrie Wachacha has finely-tuned her service game throughout her career and is peaking at the right time: her 68 aces at press time lead the Smoky Mountain Conference. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Aubrie Wachacha has finely-tuned her service game throughout her career and is peaking at the right time: her 68 aces at press time lead the Smoky Mountain Conference. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ace in the hole

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 22, 2023
Robbinsville – There’s a reason Aubrie Wachacha is the first Lady Knight to step behind the service line in the rotation.
Senior outside hitter Delaney Brooms rises for a spike Monday against Hiwassee Dam. Her kills were too much for the Lady Eagles to handle in the match – especially in the clinching set. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Senior outside hitter Delaney Brooms rises for a spike Monday against Hiwassee Dam. Her kills were too much for the Lady Eagles to handle in the match – especially in the clinching set. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Little Smoky Smackdown

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 25, 2023
The latest Robbinsville volleyball slate can be simplified as a cliche from another sport: nine up, nine down.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights relish in the moment after winning their 14th Smoky Mountain Conference title Saturday at Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights relish in the moment after winning their 14th Smoky Mountain Conference title Saturday at Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Legacy continues

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips could not contain her excitement after donning the team’s “home run hat” Friday.