SmokyMountain

Ella Nelms delivers a pitch during March 3's season opener against Rosman. Nelms has not given up a run this year and has already struck out 61 batters. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Ella Nelms delivers a pitch during March 3's season opener against Rosman. Nelms has not given up a run this year and has already struck out 61 batters. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Complete shutdown

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Through the first six games of the year, Daphne Barlow has already homered twice and driven in 11 runs for the Robbinsville Lady Knights. Her first long ball came March 9 at Enka. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
Lady Knights senior Abby Wehr looks to evade the interior defense of Andrews' Alexis Beasley during Friday's clash. The following evening at Smoky Mountain, Wehr delivered a 30-point performance for Robbinsville in a victory over the Mustangs. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Lady Knights senior Abby Wehr looks to evade the interior defense of Andrews' Alexis Beasley during Friday's clash. The following evening at Smoky Mountain, Wehr delivered a 30-point performance for Robbinsville in a victory over the Mustangs. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Wehr dusts Mustangs for 30

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Abby Wehr made sure that Robbinsville's first conference loss of the season didn't linger for long. One night removed from a tough 55-46 road loss to Andrews, the Lady Knights senior unleashed a 30-point showcase at Smoky Mountain on Saturday.
Dane Knott attempts to drive past Andrews’ Gabe Clark during Friday’s conference opener. Knott had a team-best 26 points in Robbinsville’s win over the Wildcats. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Dane Knott attempts to drive past Andrews’ Gabe Clark during Friday’s conference opener. Knott had a team-best 26 points in Robbinsville’s win over the Wildcats. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Knights win league debut

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Despite the raucous atmosphere inside Andrews' Ken Solesbee Athletic Center, the Robbinsville Black Knights played Friday's divisional opener with nerves of steel.
Ella McGuire leaps for a kill attempt Sept. 4 at Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ella McGuire leaps for a kill attempt Sept. 4 at Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hampered by 3-match skid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Robbinsville – Tough opposition has given the Lady Knights fits over the past week. A visit to Swain County on Sept.
Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville handles Dogs in league opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' initial sampling of what the Smoky Mountain Conference has to offer this season was quite the thriller. Tuesday's divisional opener brought Murphy (2-1, 1-1) to town, in a match that stayed close throughout the duration.
Robbinsville senior Naomi Taylor gets lost in a sea of Lady Knight players Friday, as she was greeted at home plate following her go-ahead home run against Murphy. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Naomi Taylor gets lost in a sea of Lady Knight players Friday, as she was greeted at home plate following her go-ahead home run against Murphy. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Counterstrike

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – Tied 4-4 entering the bottom of the sixth, Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference rematch between the Lady Knights and Murphy was in need of just one clutch hit from one clutch player. With one out, Robbinsville senior Naomi Taylor answered the call.
Dreylee Webster drives the ball during Friday’s loss to Enka. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Dreylee Webster drives the ball during Friday’s loss to Enka. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lady Knights split 3A slate

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 14, 2025
Webster – Fresh off the losing end of a pitching duel, the Lady Knights took out their frustrations in a three-inning road game Monday. Carrying a 3-2 lead as the game went into the top of the third, Robbinsville took off the kiddie gloves and unloaded 14 runs on Smoky Mountain.
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.
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.