Highlanders

Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley (center, kneeling) talks strategy with his team, shortly before the second half of Jan. 8's road game against Highlands gets underway. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights head coach Jake Beasley (center, kneeling) talks strategy with his team, shortly before the second half of Jan. 8's road game against Highlands gets underway. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights back on winning streak

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Highlands – The first half of Jan. 8's trip to the Plateau was a shocker, both on paper and to the fans in attendance.
Robbinsville’s Kyzik Teesateskie (20) defies gravity to deny Copper Basin’s Talon Smith on Monday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Kyzik Teesateskie (20) defies gravity to deny Copper Basin’s Talon Smith on Monday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights continue hunt for title

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Bam Nelms aims to fire one of his team-high 24 points in the JV Black Knights' win over Murphy on Tuesday. Murphy – With portions of Graham County still blanketed in snow, Robbinsville’s basketball program embarked on a “4-for-4” slate over the course of the last week.
Bryce Adams attempts to dribble around Smoky Mountain’s Custer Pregner during Monday’s home opener. Adams has led Robbinsville’s scoreline in three of the Black Knights’ first four games this season. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams attempts to dribble around Smoky Mountain’s Custer Pregner during Monday’s home opener. Adams has led Robbinsville’s scoreline in three of the Black Knights’ first four games this season. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Plenty to brag about

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 16, 2024
Nantahala – While their varsity counterparts were still prepping to play their first game, the Black Knights cruised to an easy victory in their 2024-25 debut. A boys-only affair at Nantahala (3-2) on Dec.
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 11, 2024
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.
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

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Kyzik Teesateskie eyes an inside shot during the first half of Dec. 7's tango with Smoky Mountain.
Brock Adams takes flight Monday at Highlands. Robbinsville’s senior point guard was one of three Black Knights to reach double digits in the victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams takes flight Monday at Highlands. Robbinsville’s senior point guard was one of three Black Knights to reach double digits in the victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ain’t no mountain high enough

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 20, 2023
Highlands – From the opening tip, it was all Robbinsville. With Friday’s trek to Hiwassee Dam postponed due to inclement weather, the Black Knights’ only action of the week came at another Little Smoky Mountain Conference school Monday: a trip to Highlands.
Xander Wachacha searches for an open player during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Wachacha’s 19 points led the Black Knights in an overtime win over the Mustangs, before the junior guard unloaded a team-best 22 points against Highlands on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Xander Wachacha searches for an open player during Nov. 30’s season opener against Smoky Mountain. Wachacha’s 19 points led the Black Knights in an overtime win over the Mustangs, before the junior guard unloaded a team-best 22 points against Highlands on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights make thrilling return to court

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – If the season debut was any indication of things to come, Black Knights’ fans are in for another non-stop thrill ride this year. Robbinsville jumped ahead 20-10 over the Smoky Mountain Mustangs in Nov. 30’s opener, before falling behind 43-37 by the end of the third.
Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils purged

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Never, ever count out the Black Knights. With just seven players dressed out, Robbinsville (7-9, 2-4) upended the Swain County Maroon Devils (13-6, 4-2) – who sit in second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference standings – Tuesday night, in a 56-55 thriller.
Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips swats the ball away from Highlands’ Beatrice Bryson during Tuesday’s season opener. Phillips’ defense played a key role in the Lady Knights’ 59-39 win over the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville junior Kensley Phillips swats the ball away from Highlands’ Beatrice Bryson during Tuesday’s season opener. Phillips’ defense played a key role in the Lady Knights’ 59-39 win over the Lady Highlanders. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights conquer Highlanders in season openers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Robbinsville – The Knights’ varsity basketball program gave the Graham County faithful a sample of what’s to come this season. And after Tuesday’s straight sweep of Highlands, it’s evident that both the Lady Knights and Black Knights will deliver the goods each time they hit the hardwood.