Hometown Heroes | Lakewood Ranch's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie remains in playoff mix with Giants as NFL season winds down
Even with another loss, the New York Giants are still in the mix for a playoff spot, knotted in a three-way tie atop the NFC East with the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. If things break their way during the next two weeks, Lakewood Ranch alumnus Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could be headed to the postseason.
The Giants were torched by Cam Newton during a 38-35 loss Sunday to the Carolina Panthers. Rodgers-Cromartie was still impressive despite dropping an interception. The former Mustangs defensive back recorded three tackles, broke up three passes and blocked a critical kick during the fourth quarter.
The cornerback ranks eighth for New York with 52 tackles and leads the team with 13 passes defended. He's one of three Giants to block a kick this season.
ANTONIO BLAKENEY -- After a prolonged slump dating back to the second week of the season, Blakeney bounced back for LSU with a pair of strong performances against Gardner-Webb and Oral Roberts last week.
The former Cardinal Mooney shooting guard hadn't topped 40-percent shooting from the field or 3-point range in a single game since Nov. 11 before he knocked down 4 of 9 from the field and 3 of 6 from 3 to score 11 in a blowout Wednesday of the Bulldogs. Three days later
he did it again, going 4 for 7 from the field and 3 for 6 from 3 to score 12 in a 100-77 win Saturday against the Golden Eagles.
Blakeney, once considered a potential one-and-done who still could be a first-round pick in the NBA Draft, is averaging 11.5 points per game on 36.5-percent shooting and 31 percent from beyond the arc.
JORDAN SMITH -- It was a shaky week for Benedict College due in part to one of Smith's shakiest stretches of the season. The former Palmetto guard has still been a star, though, leading the Division II team from Columbia, S.C., in scoring and 3-pointers.
Smith, averaging 15.9 points per game, has drilled 39 3s for Benedict. He was limited to 31 points and four 3-pointers on 11-for-31 shooting during two losses to Saint Leo University and Palm Beach Atlantic University last week. After his scoring average reached 16.0 during a win against Kentucky State University, Smith's 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting against Saint Leo on Dec. 15 dropped him back below that mark.
Smith, however, did bounce back during a 97-90 loss Thursday to Palm Beach Atlantic. Smith finished with 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting despite hitting only 2 of 7 from beyond the arc.
This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Hometown Heroes | Lakewood Ranch's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie remains in playoff mix with Giants as NFL season winds down ."