NCHSAAWBB

Zaelyn Phillips pulls down one of her team-best 12 rebounds during Jan. 8's overtime, road victory against Highlands. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zaelyn Phillips pulls down one of her team-best 12 rebounds during Jan. 8's overtime, road victory against Highlands. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights win overtime thriller

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Highlands – In the very definition of a "roller-coaster ride," Robbinsville came out on the winning end. Even if it took an extra quarter of basketball to cinch the victory.
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.
Brooklyn Lester speaks to the Lady Knights during a timeout at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Robbinsville’s new varsity girls head coach has dove into the role with purpose, hoping to restore the program as a centerpiece in the community. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brooklyn Lester speaks to the Lady Knights during a timeout at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Robbinsville’s new varsity girls head coach has dove into the role with purpose, hoping to restore the program as a centerpiece in the community. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lester begins new role as Lady Knights coach

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 19, 2025
Robbinsville – Just when the search for a new Robbinsville girls basketball coach appeared to be closed, the job suddenly became open yet again.
Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Bobcats in home opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Robbinsville – The home debut of the varsity basketball program Friday can only be viewed as a rousing success. Welcoming Blue Ridge School, the Lady Knights improved to 1-1 with a 51-19 victory in the opener.
Black Knights senior Dane Knott unleashed six 3's on the Copper Basin (Tenn.) Cougars in Monday's season opener, which played a key role in Robbinsville collecting a victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Dane Knott unleashed six 3's on the Copper Basin (Tenn.) Cougars in Monday's season opener, which played a key role in Robbinsville collecting a victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Cougars in season debut

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 5, 2025
Copperhill, Tenn. – If Monday's season opener is any indication of what lies ahead, the Robbinsville Black Knights are going to be a team to watch at a statewide level this season.

He’s back!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Robbinsville – It’s rare that a coach comes out of retirement on a fourth occasion – and with an undefeated streak on the line, no less.
Bryce Adams looks for a way to evade the defense of Bradford Preparatory Academy’s Isaiah Poston during the first round of the state playoffs Feb. 25. Adams was recently named the Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams looks for a way to evade the defense of Bradford Preparatory Academy’s Isaiah Poston during the first round of the state playoffs Feb. 25. Adams was recently named the Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Tip of the cap

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – When you get down to brass tacks, Bryce Adams was the only clear choice for the 2024-25 Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year.
Lucas Ford draws up a play during a timeout Feb. 15, in the quarterfinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Murphy. Ford stepped down as the Lady Knights head coach at the conclusion of the season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lucas Ford draws up a play during a timeout Feb. 15, in the quarterfinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Murphy. Ford stepped down as the Lady Knights head coach at the conclusion of the season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ford resigns as varsity girls basketball coach

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Robbinsville – What was supposed to be a temporary gig turned into one of the longest coaching tenures in Lady Knights basketball history. Announced as the new Robbinsville High School athletic director and head football coach Feb.
Lady Knights freshman Zaelyn Phillips evades Murphy’s Cayla Geer for a lay-up attempt during Feb. 15’s conference-tournament quarterfinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights freshman Zaelyn Phillips evades Murphy’s Cayla Geer for a lay-up attempt during Feb. 15’s conference-tournament quarterfinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eliminated by Union Academy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Monroe – After three quarters of tightly-knit basketball, Robbinsville’s varsity girls were unable to suppress Union Academy’s main weapon any longer. Only trailing 40-36 at the dawn of the fourth, senior guard Ranon Suttle scored 11 of the Lady Cardinals’ 22 points in the final segment.