SMCSB

Smiles broke out all around Nov. 8, moments after Lady Knights senior Zoie Shuler signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball for the University of Tennessee. Shuler was surrounded by her father Michael (seated, left) and mother Kylie. Standing in back are her siblings: Trace, Taylor (holding Zoie’s niece Ayla) and Jeb. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Rocky Top bound

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, November 16, 2023

University of Tennessee-signee Zoie Shuler began seeing the positive impact she could have on the next generation of softball stars during her junior season. When she signed with the Vols on Nov.

Abigail Knight has made her choice: UNC-Charlotte will be the next to receive the services of the Lady Knights alum. Although her decision might seem practical to some, it was one Knight wrestled with. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Nothin’ finer than being a 49er

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Robbinsville – With one single decision, the commute to watch Abigail Knight play a home college softball game plummeted from 987 miles to 213; a 15-hour drive, now just 3 ½.

Despondent, the Robbinsville Lady Knights gather in left field for the final post-game meeting of the season May 17, following their third-round playoff exit at the hands of Union Academy. Photos by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights' season again stopped in 3rd round

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights ran into a Division I-committed pitcher and a potent Union Academy offense in the third round of the state playoffs Wednesday, as Gracie Hollingsworth both homered and struck out 11 Robbinsville batters in a 10-1 loss on Judy Nichols Memorial Field. Robbinsville (No.

Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler has been named the Smoky Mountain Conference's Player of the Year for the second-consecutive year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Shuler repeats as Player of the Year

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Liz Carpenter, Honorable Mention Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' departure from the playoffs wrapped up the Smoky Mountain Conference's inclusion in the postseason race – thus summoning the release of the annual, esteemed All-Conference representatives.

Robbinsville’s Fala Welch, Ryn Hooper, Anna Williams, Aubrie Wachacha, Olivia Lewis and Abby Adams (from left) celebrate after the tying run scored in the bottom of the second of May 11’s playoff game against Elkin. Photos by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Elks bucked out of postseason

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were subjected to a scrappy dogfight in round two of the state playoffs, hosting the No. 19-seeded Elkin Buckin’ Elks on May 11. Robbinsville ultimately prevailed 6-4, in a game that reads like the truest definition of a “team” win.

Freshman Lady Knight Anna Williams turns on a pitch during May 11's home playoff game against Elkin. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Lady Knights continue postseason run

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights ran into a Division I-committed pitcher and a potent Union Academy offense in the third round of the state playoffs Wednesday, as Gracie Hollingsworth both homered and struck out 11 Robbinsville batters in a 10-1 loss on Judy Nichols Memorial Field. Robbinsville (No.

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.

Prior to Tuesday’s home game against Hayesville, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their four baseball seniors. From left are Alex Knight, Lathan Buchanan, Preston Phillips and Caleb Turpin. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights split Senior Night appointments with Hayesville

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Robbinsville – The final home games of the regular season featured two Robbinsville programs meeting two Hayesville teams – and both in stark contrast of the other. The Lady Knights are sitting atop the Smoky Mountain Conference standings, as are the Hayesville Yellow Jackets baseball team.

Memory Frapp, Claire Barlow and Zoie Shuler (from left) ripped a combined four homers in Friday’s 12-1 win over Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Fate rests in their hands

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 1, 2023

Robbinsville – If Tuesday’s game is any indicator, the Lady Knights are going to have to work extra hard to retain their monopoly on the Smoky Mountain Conference championship.

All Smoky Mountain senior Bailey Cloer (8) could do was watch as outfielders madly attempted to field a ball driven to the outer reaches by Lady Knights senior Kensley Phillips. Phillips doubled on the second-inning drive and recorded her Knights-leading fifth triple at Andrews on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Bentley Riggs/Contributing Photographer

‘Re-build’ ahead of schedule

Kevin Hensley

Friday, April 21, 2023

Robbinsville – This was supposed to be the rebuilding year. The Lady Knights graduated eight seniors (six of which started) and had just two when the season began – Kensley Phillips and Fala Welch. Both combined for exactly one at-bat in 2022. Sure, the core threats were still on the roster.