Local man arrested on rape charges
Kevin Hensley
Stecoah – A 20-year-old county resident was arrested April 15 and charged with three felonious sexual acts involving a minor.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Cherokee
With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star
Attaway, Drey!
Kevin Hensley
Cullowhee – Just a few weeks after Western Carolina University re-named its softball complex after the program's founder, a high school team helped christen the field.The Robbinsville Lady Knights rolled onto campus April 9, playing as the away team in the annual neutral-site clash with the A.C.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Everett Taylor makes a running catch March 20 against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com
Knights rout Braves – again
Kevin Hensley
Cherokee – At this juncture, members of the Braves have to be pointing fingers of blame and asking, "Who owes them money?"Following a 28-1 drubbing of their divisional foe April 7, Robbinsville (6-6, 6-4) made the return trip to Cherokee (1-11, 1-9) for the series finale Friday.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Luke Lovin improved to 3-1 for Robbinsville over the last week, picking up wins against Hiwassee Dam and Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com
Level 28: unlocked
Kevin Hensley
Robbinsville – It was almost as if the Black Knights peered at Loudon Orr Memorial Field's scoreboard prior to beginning the bottom of the fourth Tuesday and said, "We can do better."
Everything was going Robbinsville's way at that point, but the hometown crew wasn't satisfied with a 15-0 lead.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Robbinsville senior Anna Williams had two doubles in Tuesday’s win over Cherokee. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star
Lady Knights remain perfect
Kevin Hensley
With the season well past the midway point, it's time to pose a legitimate question: is there a team left on the road to a state championship that can derail the Robbinsville Lady Knights?
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Xamuel Wachacha (1) attempts to evade the defense of Murphy's Abram Twiggs and shoot a 3-pointer during Feb. 12's Smoky Mountain Conference title game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star
Black Knights upset in tournament semifinals
Kevin Hensley
Murphy – There was little doubt that Feb. 18's semifinal match-up would be a doozy.
The first team to hand the Black Knights a conference loss this season was Cherokee. Even though Robbinsville split the series with a Senior Night victory Feb.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star
Lady Knights fall in tournament quarterfinals
Kevin Hensley
Bella Coats shoots a foul shot during Feb. 12's junior varsity game at Murphy.
Murphy – The Lady Knights entered the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament with vindication in mind.
Sadly, the chance for redemption slipped away in the waning seconds of Feb. 17's quarterfinal clash with Andrews (No.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Lady Knights go 3-2 over grueling stretch
Kevin Hensley
Zayleigh Chekelelee launches one of her five 3-pointers at Swain County on Feb. 5. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Knights primed for SMC title game
Kevin Hensley
Kristian Bauzo sails over Hayesville's Brady Reynolds for a first-half basket attempt Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Robbinsville's Aaliyah Wolfe (left) keeps a watchful eye on Cherokee's Dvdaya Swimmer during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com
Lady Knights cruise to 1st conference win
Kevin Hensley
Robbinsville – After suffering through some heartbreakers and tough competition, the Lady Knights collected their first divisional victory of the season Tuesday.
Thursday, January 22, 2026