Hometown Heroes | Palmetto's Jordan Smith on fire for Benedict College basketball team

Jordan Smith has gotten off to a fast start for the Benedict College basketball team reminding us how he lit up the nets from long range when he was at Palmetto High School.

The senior guard scored a team-high 15 points in the Benedict's 72-69 season-opening victory over West Florida draining five of 10 attempts from beyond in the arc in the SIAC versus Gulf Coast Conference Challenge Tournament last weekend

Smith scored nine points and was 1 for 3 from 3-point land in Benedict's 71-61 overtime victory over Valdosta State helping the Tigers get off to a 2-0 start.

After playing for South Carolina State in the 2013-14 season, Smith joined NCAA Division II Benedict at midseason last year and helped the Tigers win the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship.

Benedict head coach Fred Wilson said he expects big things from his shooting guard.

"Jordan's going to have a huge year," Wilson said. "He's playing at a high level right now. He's a big-time player. He's a (Division I) transfer and we're happy to have him on campus and he's ready to go. I think he has a chance to play beyond Benedict. We look for him to carry the scoring load. I know he can do it."

Excellence in Idaho

Southeast High products Jordan Grabski and Jacob Sannon are making their presence felt on the University of Idaho football team.

Known for his hard hitting at Southeast High School, Grabski has been a productive safety for the Vandals when healthy. He missed nearly all of last season with an injury, but came back this year to rack up 35 tackles, including two for a loss in the Vandals 41-38 win over Wofford earlier in the season.

He had eight tackles last week, including seven solos in Idaho's 47-20 loss to Appalachian State.

Sannon was known for making acrobatic catches at Southeast and having sure hands. His biggest game of the season came against the University of Southern California in Los Angeles when he caught nine passes for 79 yards. Unfortunately he injured his groin and hasn't played since.

Bundrage shines

Manatee grad Quenton Bundrage caught two passes for 46 yards to become the 14th player in Iowa State history to amass 100 career receptions. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to help the Cyclones pull off a major upset over undefeated Oklahoma State in a bitter 35-31 loss.

Headed to playoffs

Lakewood Ranch High products Michael Farhat and Luke Sears are members of the University of Charleston (W.Va) football team selected to make the school's first appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

A redshirt sophomore, Farhat has been the starting center for the Golden Eagles and played an instrumental role in the team's highly touted offense. A linebacker, Sears has recorded 18 tackles, including 13 solos and has one tackle for a loss.

Michael Farhat follows his brother Matt, who was the starting center for Charleston finishing up his career in 2013.

"It's great to be going to the playoffs. It's something that is very hard to do. It gives us a good feeling of accomplishment," Michael Farhat said.

Career day for ODA grad

Former Out-Of-Door Academy standout A.J. Strong had a career day in his last regular-season college game rushing for 188 yards in leading Campbellsville University to 70-56 victory over Reinhardt for its eighth straight win.

The triumph earned Campbellsville a berth in the NAIA Playoffs beginning this Saturday.

In the game, Strong ran for a 65-yard touchdown and caught four passes for 28 yards.

Strong leads Campbellsville with 511 yards rushing. He is tied for the team lead with four touchdowns and his 65-yard touchdown was the longest run from scrimmage this season for the Tigers. He also caught 17 passes for 123 yards a touchdown.

Campbellsville will be making its second straight NAIA postseason tournament appearance. The Tigers won the Mid-South Conference West Division title and finished with an 8-2 record in earning a No. 11 ranking in the coaches poll. Dyron Williams from Southeast and Reynard Simmons from Manatee High are on the roster, but sitting out the season as redshirts.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Hometown Heroes | Palmetto's Jordan Smith on fire for Benedict College basketball team ."