https://decaturish.com/2024/05/decatur-high-schools-mock-trial-team-achieves-national-recognition/
The team also had substantial outside help in the lead-up to Nationals, with advice provided by the CSD attorneys Bob Wilson and Keri Ware, scrimmages in the Decatur Municipal Court courtroom with Chief Judge Rhathelia Stroud and Chief Clerk Courtney Jackson, one final scrimmage in County Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl Anderson’s courtroom, and assessments and criticisms from rival Georgia coaches and the Georgia Bar.
Those factors, “the community, the student’s ambition, and a little bit of luck,” were the three pillars of Decatur’s success, according to Axam.
“All of that community support went a long way to preparing the team,” Axam said. “But nothing compares to hungry students who want to win. And finally, whenever preparation meets opportunity, there is a chance that luck will be on our side, which it was this year.”