Sports briefs 3/17/04

College

St. Joseph's Jameer Nelson and Phil Martelli were named player and coach of the year Tuesday by the United State Basketball Writers Association. The award was the second of the day for Nelson, St. Joseph's 5-10 point guard who averaged 20 points 5.4 assists per game.

Football

The Miami Dolphins traded for David Boston, who wore out his welcome in one season in San Diego, while Buffalo signed Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent, who left the Eagles as a free agent. The Dolphins acquired the former Pro Bowl receiver for a sixth-round draft choice in 2005 and a player to be named. Vincent ended a stellar eight-year tenure with Philadelphia.

High school

Dwight Howard of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy and Candace Parker of Naperville Central High in Illinois are the winners of this year's Naismith Prep Basketball Players of the Year awards. This is the second year in a row Parker has been selected. Howard, a 6-foot-11 center, led his team to its first Georgia High School Association Class A state championship while averaging 25.5 points, 18.3 rebounds, eight blocks and 3.5 assists per game. Parker assisted Naperville Central in its second straight Illinois Class AA State Championship season. The 6-3 center-forward averaged 24.3 points, 3.3 steals, 3.5 blocks and 11.5 rebounds.

Hockey

St. Louis defenseman Chris Pronger was suspended for one game for kicking at Calgary Flames forward Ville Nieminen during a weekend game. Pronger missed Tuesday's game at Los Angeles. He is eligible to return today at Anaheim.

-- From wire reports