Cherokee

The work of Robbinsville’s younger varsity players – including Claire Barlow, shown contesting a Highlands return Aug. 23 – was crucial to the Knights’ clinching a four-set victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

The work of Robbinsville’s younger varsity players – including Claire Barlow, shown contesting a Highlands return Aug. 23 – was crucial to the Knights’ clinching a four-set victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights etch 1st conference win

Robbinsville – Going into Tuesday’s conference opener, the Lady Knights seemingly held all the cards.
Middle school Lady Knight Anna Williams prepares to drive the ball May 3 against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Williams unleashed a 3-run homer Friday, aiding Robbinsville immensely in a 20-6 drubbing of the previously-unbeaten Cherokee Lady Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Lady Knight Anna Williams prepares to drive the ball May 3 against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Williams unleashed a 3-run homer Friday, aiding Robbinsville immensely in a 20-6 drubbing of the previously-unbeaten Cherokee Lady Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights pepper Cherokee

Cherokee – The Braves never knew what hit them. Robbinsville made the trip to Cherokee for a middle school baseball and softball tilt Friday, with both the Black Knights and Lady Knights etching respective 11-8 and 20-6 wins.
Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Livin’ on a prayer

Hiwassee Dam – Entering the final road game of the season Monday, Robbinsville held all the cards.
Zoie Shuler (left) and Ivy Odom show off their trophies on April 20 after the duo launched a combined three home runs at Cherokee. As of Monday, Shuler has hit six long balls this season, while Odom has five. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Zoie Shuler (left) and Ivy Odom show off their trophies on April 20 after the duo launched a combined three home runs at Cherokee. As of Monday, Shuler has hit six long balls this season, while Odom has five. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Going, going, gone!

Cherokee – No matter the opposition, there seems to be no cure for Robbinsville’s hot bats. Despite not playing a conference game in 13 days, the Lady Knights picked right up where they left off in divisional action April 20, walloping Cherokee in a road game, 10-1.
Robbinsville senior Carson White fanned eight Cherokee batters April 7, hurling a complete-game effort to stipend Robbinsville’s 15-5 win over the Braves. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville senior Carson White fanned eight Cherokee batters April 7, hurling a complete-game effort to stipend Robbinsville’s 15-5 win over the Braves. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Black Knights dismantle Cherokee

Robbinsville – As head coach Brent Icenhower astutely put it afterward, “We finally put together a full game.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights and the Enka Sugar Jets gathered to commemorate the opportunity to play at the Catamount Softball Complex on Monday. Enka would prevail in six innings, 11-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights and the Enka Sugar Jets gathered to commemorate the opportunity to play at the Catamount Softball Complex on Monday. Enka would prevail in six innings, 11-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Bigger picture

Cullowhee – With the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly in the rearview mirror, Robbinsville skipper Billy Knight deemed it time to revive what was once a yearly tradition.
Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Bo Rattler (left) and Dasan Gross guard Cherokee’s Tso Smith during Saturday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted in tourney semis

Bryson City – Heading into Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament semifinal, Robbinsville was seemingly well on its way to making a magical run to the championship game. And for three quarters of the showdown against the hosting Swain County Maroon Devils (No.
It was another history-making night Tuesday for Robbinsville junior Desta Trammell, who shattered the state consecutive free-throw record during the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Cherokee.

It was another history-making night Tuesday for Robbinsville junior Desta Trammell, who shattered the state consecutive free-throw record during the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Cherokee.

Rewriting history

Bryson City – This is your reminder that Desta Trammell still has a full year of varsity basketball ahead. Robbinsville’s junior point guard surpassed the 1,000-point mark Jan.
Xander Wachacha takes center stage during Feb. 3's home victory over Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Xander Wachacha takes center stage during Feb. 3's home victory over Cherokee. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Variable outcome

Andrews – After allowing a scant 19 points in the first half, Robbinsville’s offense could not get into a tempo in the second half. Meanwhile, Andrews had no problem finding the basket after its return from the locker room. The end result?

Finishing strong

Robbinsville – The second time around, the Lady Knights made sure to definitively put the game out-of-reach early.