Playoff Bound! Mock Trial Team Goes Undefeated

The Central Catholic Mock Trial Team defeated Lawrence High School at Lowell City Hall on February 24, 2025. With this victory, the team ends the regular season 3-0 and advances to the playoffs this Sunday at Clark University in Worcester.

Congratulations to the team on an undefeated regular season and good luck in the playoffs!

Undefeated Mock Trial Team Makes Case for State Playoffs

Posted February 13, 2025

The Central Catholic Mock Trial Team began their season with two victories in their opening competitions at Lawrence District Court in the Fenton Judicial Center. They are vying to advance to the playoffs with a win in their final regular season match of the season, which is scheduled for after vacation.

The team opened their season with a win over Methuen High School, 100 - 94, in their opening competition at the Lawrence District Court in the Fenton Judicial Center on January 16, 2025.

They followed their opening season win with another victory on Thursday, January 30, against Billerica Memorial High School

"Our team performed exceptionally well," notes Mr. Brian Flaherty, teacher and coach, "with junior Michelle Cuevas Tineo '26 receiving a perfect 10/10 on scoring as a witness and freshman Eryk Petrillo '28 shining in his first ever competition. Sophomore Charlaine Nyarko '27 was extraordinary in her first ever mock trial competition."

A win in their final match will guarantee them a spot in the state playoffs, which begin during the first week in March.

About this year's case

Each year, students prepare a hypothetical case and then test their skills as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated courtroom competition.

This year's fictional case is a civil case called Alex Parker v. Devon Roy.

On June 25, 2023, plaintiff Alex Parker attended a high school graduation party at the defendant Devon Roy’s house, which was attended by Payton Bolles (a minor) and others. Payton drove Alex home after the party and was involved in an accident with another car. Alex was seriously injured in the accident and is suing Devon, alleging Devon is liable for negligently furnishing the alcohol that made Payton intoxicated and caused the accident. Devon alleges that they did not furnish the alcohol that Payton drank, that Payton’s consumption of alcohol did not cause the accident, and that the operator of the other vehicle in the crash was responsible for the accident.

Thus far, CCHS has argued the plaintiff's side once and the defense side once. We will be the plaintiff once again in our next case. In the two matches we won, we won both in overall points and the verdicts.

Members of the Massachusetts Bar Association serve as attorney coaches and judges for the Mock Trial Program, while thousands of high school students across Massachusetts participate.

The Central Catholic 2024-2025 Mock Trial Team

• Seniors
  • Sophia Encanacion '25
  • Alexis Martos '25
  • Samantha Sayegh '25
• Juniors
  • Selah de la Cruz '26
  • Lilyannah Sandoval '26
  • Michelle Cuevas Tineo '26
• Sophomores
  • Kaleigh Davol '27
  • Nadia Lee '27
  • Olivia Martin '26
  • Charlaine Nyarko '27
  • Adrianna Sabounji '27
  • Chloe Salerno '27
• Freshman
  • Eryk Petrillo '28

The team is coached by faculty moderator and coach Mr. Brian Flaherty, Social Studies Teacher, and attorney coach Atty. Yolla Sabounji P'27.

The team’s season began in earnest in October as they began preparing for the regional competitions.

In November, the team attended a Mock Trial Seminar at Harvard University. Read more in Raider News: Mock Trial Practices Law at Harvard University.

About the Massachusetts Mock Trial Program

Since 1985, the Massachusetts Bar Association has hosted the annual, statewide Mock Trial Program to help high school students learn more about the law, court procedures, and our legal system, giving the students the opportunity to sharpen their analytical, listening and speaking skills.

Students prepare a hypothetical case and then test their skills as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated courtroom competition.

Members of the Massachusetts Bar Association serve as attorney coaches and judges for the Mock Trial Program, while thousands of high school students across Massachusetts participate.

About Mock Trial

Central Catholic competes in the Mock Trial Program sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association.

The goal of the program is to help students develop their critical thinking skills, understand the judicial process, and to present themselves in public in a competent manner. It is much like a structured debate team. Mock Trial prep work starts in the beginning of November with three competitions taking place in late January or early February. Playoffs take place in late February or early March.

Mock Trial is moderated and coached by Mr. Brian Flaherty, Social Studies Teacher, and Atty. Yolla Sabounji P'27, Frawley & Sabounji Law Group

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