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#2.42 Bruie si. d 8Vr~7WINE Milton pair lead way for the Raiders 5v STEVE LeBLANC The Champion The Georgetown Raiders' championship drive holds special significance for a couple of Miltonians. However, Jeff Seeds and Adam Berloli's appreciation for ibis current playoff run couldu't be any different. Two years ago Seeds was a member of the Merchanîs squad ihal weut ail the way 10 the Royal Bank Cup. The team capiured a handful of titles thal season, altbough bis role in each viciory was small - 10 say the least. Playing bigger rote But limes have changed, and now Seeds - deemed expeudable and iraded 10 Georgetown midway tbrough last season, n a move ihat helped rekindle the rivalry between North Haion's two factions - is a prime lime player leading the Raiders 10 their best post-season showing since join- ing the junior ranks. He sits second on the tesm in scoring, wîlh six goals and 13 assisîs in 16 games, and is one of Iheir most well-rounded per- formera. 'This (Georgetown playoff run) means much more 10 me," said the alI-purpose winger, who's had a number of big offen- sive outputs lhrough poal-season play including a lwo-aasisl effort in the Raiders' 3-1 win over Burlinglon in game seven of the West Conference semnifinals lasI Tuesday. "Il feels greal 10 be one of the guys counted on and 10 have really contributed this season." Raider co-skipper Amie Parcels - who coached Seeds 10 an OMHA midgel chara- pionship in 1997 - said his current play- off prowess is no surprise, that be's the same player he's always been but just now havîng the chance 10 prove 10 at the Jr. A level. "Jeff's a rat, and the bigger the game the bigger he plays," said Parcels. Unlike Seeds, Adam Bertoli bas neyer enjoyed any previous playoff succesa aI junior. In fact white Seeds was winuing tilles with the Merchants, Berioli had already walked away fmom junior hockey altogeth- er - having become so frustrated with the Raiders' basement dwelling stalus and lack of direction that he simply up sud left the club. But afler more than a yesr's hiatus he was lured back, sud since then has been part of the most improved teara in the league - perhaps ail of Ontario. "lt's (Raider resurgence) unreal," Bertoli remsrked. "Ai limes, il's stilI hard to believe." To some, so is his dramatic development mbt an impact player over the past several monîhs. Struggling 10 tind bis way since a failed attempt a( the OHL, Berioli was brought back 10 Georgetown as the 121h sud final forwsrd but just a year-snd-a-half later is now one of their top four defence- men. And according 10 mauy, be's become their steadiest blueliner when il comes 10 breakout passes sud crealiug chances for the more offensively gifted players. "Adam's reslly worked bard sud bas been sbowing a lot of leadership qualities. He rarely makes s mental error sud be reads the ice so well," said Parcels. Added Berloli, "I'm nol the kind of play- er who's going 10 go cost-lo-cos or beat guys wilh my speed. 1 have 10 use my bead more. I'm prelly happy with my play laIe- ly. 1 lhink I'm maldng somte good passes and smart decisions out there." And white Georgetown now finda itself lrsiling Brampton 2-0 in the division finals, the club's Milton connection isn't pushing the panic button jusl yet. "We've gol a lot of characler on Ibis leara," said Seeds. 1I wouldu't counit us ouI, even if we go down 3-0." Georgetown will lry 10 avoid that tomor- row nighl when they bosl game lhree aI Alcott Arena. Game lime is 7:30 p.m. Sherratt beaten in flnais Watch that lasi step up the regional boys Jon Jeysman, Sherraitts top marksman, basketball pecking order - il's a doozy. led wilh eight points white chipping in six The Sam Sherratt Shsmrocks learned was Dan Krebbs. Steve Ellison and Steve that the hard way, falling 10 Burlînglon's Hicks added a handful of points cach. Rolling Meadows 53-28 in the finals ai The Shamnros.ks tînished the year with a Oakville's T.A. Blakelock High Thursday. record of 11 -2. Miltou'a hoopsters gave a respectable They upstsged Georgetown's Centennial 1____________________________________________ effort for much of the evening. However, a for the North Halton crowu and then out- Photo by HERB GARBUTT shaky start and significaut size disadvau- distanced Burlington's Brant HuIls 44-36 Miltonlans Adam Bertoli and (Inset) JefI Seeds are playing pivotai rotes In the Georgetown tage conspired 10 end Iheir tille hopes. in the regional semnifinals last Tuesday. Ralders' finest playotf showing ever. -un - i 119 %,W surjian Unampion, i uesci , Marci i 14, 20U0