Cherokee

Black Knights point guard Luke Lovin splits a pair of Cherokee defenders, who can only look on in amazement as the senior glides through the air for a basket attempt during Friday's conference road game. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win 10th game of season

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Robbinsville put the memory of its first conference loss in the rearview mirror Tuesday, knocking off Rosman (1-12, 0-5) at home 66-33. The victory improved the Black Knights to 10-3 (3-1 in divisional play), which solidifies Robbinsville's fifth-straight 10-win season.

In-between games Dec. 18, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade basketball players. From left are Lady Knights Parklyn Anderson, Calin Gladden, Lakin Orr and Black Knights Kamden Driver, Brayden Allison, David Guzman, Landon Silvers, Carsan Snider, Micah York, Jaxon Blundell and Channing Jones.

Middle school boys trounce Eagles, Wildcats

Kevin Hensley

Friday, December 26, 2025

Robbinsville Middle School's boys closed out the home portion of their season on a high note. In a pair of games – where the outcomes were never in doubt – the 10-3 Black Knights routed Hiwassee Dam 64-44 in a make-up contest Dec.

Middle school hoops plucks Eagles

Kevin Hensley

Friday, November 21, 2025

Hiwassee Dam – After loading up the bus and inputting coordinates for the westernmost school in North Carolina on Nov. 13, Graham County's middle school basketball program took care of business in decisive fashion.

Robbinsville’s Dane Daniels (76) provides some free air time for Kyzik Teesateskie on Friday, after the latter scored his second rushing touchdown at Cherokee. The senior running back leads the Black Knights with 12 touchdowns and enters the postseason with 571 yards on the ground in 2025. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights dismantle Braves in season finale

Kevin Hensley

Friday, November 7, 2025

The box score from Oct. 31, 2025's game between Robbinsville and Cherokee. Cherokee – For a brief moment in time, it appeared that Halloween's regular-season conclusion was going to be a close ballgame.

Bass Woods scored the final touchdown of the Robbinsville PeeWees’ season and recorded a pair of conversion runs in Saturday's Cracker Bowl game against Franklin. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Robbinsville PeeWees, Midgets fall in Cracker Bowl

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Cherokee – Two Robbinsville teams qualified for the annual Smokey Mountain Youth Conference Cracker Bowl. But in an unusual occurrence, the Black Knights returned home empty-handed. The Robbinsville PeeWees (No. 1, 9-1) were upset by the No.

Snowbird's Tayen Bridges competed for the title of "Miss Cherokee" during this year's competition. Photo courtesy of Cherokee One Feather

An honored tradition

Latresa Phillips

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Cherokee – Each year, the Cherokee community hosts a pageant to crown a representative for the Cherokee Tribal Nation. Miss Cherokee serves as a cultural ambassador, promoting government, language, history and culture.

Zaelyn Phillips spikes the ball past the defense of Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby (3) and Joscelyn Stamper (13) during Tuesday’s league-tournament semifinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in tournament semifinals

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Hayesville – Even though Tuesday's semifinal pairing against the regular-season champions ended in defeat, the Lady Knights turned a lot of heads. Entering the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament as the No. 4 seed, Robbinsville (12-11) mowed over Andrews (No.

Emory Chekelelee (20) attempts to spike the ball past Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights vying for 4th place

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Robbinsville – After playing both the regular-season champions and the second-place team in the standings during the same week, the Lady Knights hope to wrap up fourth in the division today.

Zaelyn Phillips swats the ball over a pair of Rosman defenders during Tuesday's four-set victory over the Lady Tigers. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights snap 5-match losing streak

Kevin Hensley

Friday, September 19, 2025

Robbinsville – Following a tough slate, the Lady Knights reaped all the benefits of returning back home Tuesday.

Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

SMC football: Not for the weak of heart

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 28, 2025

There's a reason a mention of Smoky Mountain Conference football sends shivers down the spines of opponents far and wide – the reputation of the division speaks for itself.