York, PA - By recruiting standards, Kelvin Parker came into this winter behind schedule. Whereas most Division I basketball prospects have raked in offers by the time their senior seasons start, William Penn's electric guard was still trying to prove he deserved a shot.

Parker did just that, piecing together a sterling season with the Bearcats. Little by little, more colleges started to take notice.

On Wednesday, Parker was finally rewarded. That's when the do-it-all senior made his commitment to play Division I basketball next year at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md.

"Just relief now," Parker said Thursday about his decision. "It took a lot from me."

The move ended a winding recruiting process for Parker, who considered playing football in college before settling on the sport he called "his first love."

Still, Parker entered his senior basketball season with little Division I fanfare. Part of that, Bearcats coach Troy Sowers said, was because of an injury to his foot during the summer, which prevented Parker from showcasing his eye-catching athleticism.

"I knew he was going to have to demonstrate his ability to play Division I during the season," Sowers said. "And he really put the team on his back."

Besides averaging a team-high 19.7 points per game this scholastic season, Parker also chipped in 7.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3 steals and 2.2 blocks per game for the Bearcats, en route to the team's District 3 Class

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AAAA title.

Eventually, Mount St. Mary's took notice. Parker visited the school's campus for the first time a month ago, and eventually chose the Mountaineers over South Carolina Aiken, a Division II program led by former William Penn coach Vince Alexander.

"It's a small Division I school and it's close," Parker said of Mount St. Mary's. "I had applied there first. Then they talked to me through the end of the season, through counties and districts."

Added Sowers: "I think it's a perfect place for him."

Parker finished his career with 1,451 points, the most in William Penn boys' basketball history. He is the program's first Division I recruit since Sam Sutton, who graduated from William Penn in 1997 before playing at St. Francis (Pa.) and Towson.

Mount St. Mary's, which is coached by Robert Burke, finished 11-21 last season, including 9-9 in Northeast Conference play.

jclayton@ydr.com; 771-2045