It's no secret that Jaylin Parker's minutes played in his four years on the WSSU basketball team have been limited. Last year the Rams senior played 208 minutes. That has dropped to 134 minutes through the CIAA Tournament two weeks ago in Baltimore.

It hasn't prevented Parker from being ready when his number 25 is called. And Coach Cleo Hill, Jr., has called that number often in the closing games of the regular season.

"It's definitely been difficult at times," surmised Parker about his limited minutes on the court. "I learned a lot last year."

Parker was key player in the tournament when point guard Isaac Parson suffered a broken wrist in a hard fall against Virginia Union in the CIAA semifinals. Number 25 was called to step in against the number one seed Panthers and then played a hard-fought role in WSSU's championship win against Lincoln, PA.

"I definitely prepare for moments like that," Parker said. "I know I'll be ready. He played 9:26 and hit critical three-pointer against Union.

Standing only 5-7, Parker said he relies on his long-range shots. "It's naturally for me to be a better person on offense, especially the three's," he explained. "I'm a shorter guy and getting inside can be difficult. I definitely like the long shot. It counts more."

His secret for playing with big guys? "Heart and effort," said Parker. "On the court I feel the same size as everybody else. Heart and effort is what makes up for height."

Playing at the C.E. Gaines Center has been an experience like no other. "It's one of the best atmospheres in the CIAA," he said. "I can't help but to get excited even if I've had a bad day. When I go to the shoot-around around 10 or 11 on game days and see people already standing out there you've got to give it your all. With all those people supporting us it definitely prepares us."

He was confident the Rams would win their second CIAA Championship in three years. "Honestly, once I saw the bracket when it came out, I was confident we would win," Parker said. "Lincoln was definitely a great team but we couldn't let a team that's never won a championship stand in the way of us winning our 13th.

"Virginia Union knocked us out (in the semifinals) last year," he continued. "They beat us in the CP Tournament. We felt as a team we needed to get the job done. We definitely felt the intensity on game day. We wanted to make sure we were prepared for that game."

Parker said he feels good about the Rams chances in the NCAA Tournament. "I think most definitely we'll have a shot if we execute and do what the coaches tell us to do," he said. "We've started to beat people when it counts."

Now, he'll have to make room for another championship ring.

"Definitely both ring fingers," said a smiling Parker. "And maybe a national championship ring."