Topeka Capital-Journal, The: Briefly in sports

Andy Roddick

Jamal Lewis

Doug

Mientkiewicz

Football: Ravens' Jamal Lewis sentenced to four months

Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison Wednesday for using a cell phone to try to set up a cocaine deal about 4 1/2 years ago.

The penalty, worked out with prosecutors in October, should allow Lewis to return to the Ravens well before the start of the 2005 season. At most, he could miss the opening of training camp.

He also will spend two months in a halfway house and perform 500 hours of community service following his prison term.

Lewis pleaded guilty to trying to set up the drug deal a few months after the Ravens chose him No. 5 overall in the 2000 NFL draft. No drugs ever exchanged hands.

Prosecutors agreed to drop more serious drug conspiracy and attempted cocaine possession charges.

STEELERS DEFENSIVE END AARON SMITH and offensive tackle Marvel Smith were added to the AFC Pro Bowl team Wednesday to replace injured players.

Aaron Smith replaces Jets defensive end John Abraham (knee), and Marvel Smith replaces Chiefs offensive tackle Willie Roaf (ankle).

Miami cornerback Patrick Surtain was added to the AFC Pro Bowl squad Wednesday, replacing injured Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister, while Atlanta's Allen Rossum will replace Detroit kick returner Eddie Drummond.

A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL COACH told a federal jury that he got offers of money, a job and free law school for his wife before he accepted a $150,000 payoff to steer his best player to sign with Alabama.

Lynn Lang, the former head coach at Trezevant High School, testified for the second day at the trial of Logan Young, a Memphis millionaire who is on trial on federal bribery and money laundering charges.

THE DETROIT LIONS hired Ted Tollner as offensive coordinator, reuniting him with Lions head coach Steve Mariucci.

The 64-year-old Tollner replaces Sherman Lewis, who retired after the 2004 regular season.

General: Roddick has easy time in quarters of Australian Open

His place in the Australian Open semifinals secured, Andy Roddick was off to the air-conditioned comfort of the casino and hoping for luck at the blackjack table. He couldn't have been dealt a better hand.

The 22-year-old American was leading 6-3, 7-5, 4-1 when Nikolay Davydenko retired from their quarterfinal after just 1 hour, 35 minutes Wednesday because he was having trouble breathing.

That was less time than Roddick's semifinal opponent, Lleyton Hewitt, needed for the fifth set alone before getting past Argentina's David Nalbandian 6-3, 6-2, 1-6, 3-6, 10-8 in 4 hours, 5 minutes.

"I don't have many miles on me so far in this tournament," Roddick said. "That could end up being a good thing."

Hewitt has spent more than 14 1/2 hours playing through five matches, almost double Roddick's court time.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE NHL and players' association met for about 5 1/2 hours in small groups for the third time in a week on Wednesday. All that is known about the meeting is that it took place somewhere in Toronto. The location was kept secret, and neither side would reveal what was discussed or if any progress was made.

The only news that came out was that more talks will be held soon.

"We will meet again this week," NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly said.

Baseball: Mientkiewicz traded from Red Sox to New York Mets

Doug Mientkiewicz is bringing his good glove to the New York Mets. The ball is another story.

The Mets acquired the former Gold Glove first baseman from the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday for minor league first baseman Ian Bladergroen.

New York made the decision to obtain Mientkiewicz after Carlos Delgado accepted the Florida Marlins' $52 million, four-year offer Tuesday, spurning a $52 million proposal from New York.

The 30-year-old Mientkiewicz won the 2001 AL Gold Glove with Minnesota and caught the final out of Boston's World Series sweep of St. Louis last October, the first Series title for the Red Sox since 1918. He kept the ball, which the Red Sox want back.

CUBAN INFIELDER YUNIESKY BETANCOURT agreed Wednesday to a contract with the Mariners, roster, bolstering Seattle's depth at shortstop.

ED NIZWANTOWSKI, abaseball coach at Peabody (Mass.) High School, has been fired after former players, including first-round draft pick Jeff Allison of the Florida Marlins, admitted being addicted to a painkiller.

Local: California QB gives

commitment to Kansas State

Quarterback Kevin Lopina, s 6-foot-2, 198-pound product of Concord (Calif.) De La Salle High School, has given an oral commitment to Kansas State, according to Powercat Illustrated's website. Lopina visited Oregon State in June and later took a look at K-State. He runs a 4.78-second 40-yard dash.

Lopina is the 20th known commitment for K-State.

JAMES HOLT, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety from Altus, Okla., has given an oral commitment to play football for Kansas. In addition to safety, Holt also played quarterback during his senior season for Altus High School. He also averaged 38 yards per kickoff return. Holt picked KU over Oklahoma State and Tulsa.

THE KU SOFTBALL TEAM was picked to finish eighth in the preseason Big 12 coaches' poll. The Jayhawks picked up 24 points in the poll.

Texas is the early favorite with 77 points, followed by Oklahoma (75), Texas A&M 61, Baylor (58), Nebraska (48), Missouri (43), Oklahoma State (32), KU, Texas Tech (20) and Iowa State (12).

THE KU TRACK AND FIELD TEAMS will host the 18th Jayhawk Invitational Friday at the Anschutz Sports Pavilion and Bill Easton Track.

Staff and wire reports