Despite turning in a very strong performance that convinced courtroom observers that they were headed to the Suffolk Elite Eight round, Huntington High School’s mock trial team was edged by Northport in the county playoffs, ending the Blue Devils’ season.
Huntington appeared well on its way toward moving on in the county tournament after its legal wizards put on a dazzling performance at the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip. But the judge assigned to the case saw things differently.
The Blue Devils are now picking up the proverbial pieces and what they have found is quite appealing. Huntington courtroom team will return in 2019/20 largely intact since it was dominated by underclassmen. The group is already setting its eyes on winning a state championship next year.
“It is certainly disappointing that we cannot compete anymore, but I’m truly proud of how far our team has come this year; especially with having so many new members,” junior Lia Shechter said. “I have full confidence that we can make it very far next year. We are all excited to come back better than ever.”
Huntington’s volunteer legal advisors, who have spent hundreds of hours combined working with the Blue Devil courtroom warriors during weekend and evening sessions stretching back to early last fall, will all be returning. Xavier Palacios, John LoTurco and Joseph Bavaro and are practicing attorneys and district residents who are just as competitive and the teenagers who comprise the squad.
Huntington High School teachers Sarah Buchalter and Suzette Biagi, who are the team’s faculty advisors are also expected to return to the fold.
“The conclusion of this mock trial season was nowhere near reflective of how hard we worked throughout the year,” junior Lena Annunziata said. “Every one of us put in so much time learning and mastering our material to be the team that we were this year. Sure, we may have gotten a tough break, but I’m so proud of all we accomplished this season. We will be back next year stronger than ever.”
The Blue Devil courtroom whizzes are a resilient group. Although they were bitterly disappointed with the Sweet 16 round match outcome, they are all looking forward to next year.
“I feel as though we performed phenomenally throughout each of our rounds, building and tempering the team and even though we had an unexpected early elimination this year, we’ll be back and fighting harder than ever next year,” junior Riley Tucker said.