The NyaStrong Warriors Academy (NWA) fourth grade basketball program ran the table by winning five consecutive matchups en route to a tournament championship at the Capital City 3-on-3 tournament, despite losing an opening round matchup to the Little Hoopers.
After losing the opening round matchup to the Little Hoopers 7-6, the NWA program collected five consecutive wins: 13-0 vs. Team Buckets, 8-2 vs. Swifters, 6-0 vs. Little Lassies, 6-5 vs. Little Hoopers and 6-5 again against the Little Hoopers. The pool of teams included programs from Tumwater, Olympia, Rochester, Kelso and Tenino.
“We practice with purpose and we’re built for adversity,” NWA head coach Richard Durham said. “One of the things that means the most to me is the girls are starting to see why we practice the way we do when they’re playing in these tournaments. No moment is too big for them. In our last seven tournaments we are 7-0 in championship games. The last two tournaments were the first time we’ve had the same four girls in back-to-back tournaments.”
The coach said that the four girls in the program challenge themselves to ensure that practices are “always harder than games,” adding that they play for each other and fight every second there is time on the clock.
“In our program, everybody does their part. The girls know that winning and losing is my concern. Their focus is being safe, having fun and kicking butt,” Durham said. “We never blur those lines, and here we are. I say this all the time, but never enough: Nothing we do happens without the commitment and support of our parents and families.”
Durham said his favorite memory from the Capital City 3-on-3 tournament was seeing the families of his athletes cheering and supporting the program. Program supporters at the tournament, which coincided in Tenino at the Oregon Trail Days event, included moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends.
“Honestly that means more to me than anything we win,” Durham said. “We want to do an August tournament. We’re either going to host one or go to one up in Monroe. After that we’re going to take a break from basketball. During that time, we’re going to get together and learn how to play tennis, basically a program bonding opportunity.”
Durham added that the team will begin prepping for winter 5-on-5 basketball in October, with a team goal to compete at the fourth grade state tournament in March of 2025 in Spokane.
Team captain Kora Hadaller said it felt good to work together as a team to beat some “really good competition” in the tournament. She said the team practices three days a week together, and the girls practice at their homes to improve as a team and strengthen their personal skills.
“My favorite moment was winning the championship. It was a really hard game, but we fought really hard and won it,” Hadaller said.
Janna Perkins said her favorite tournament memory was having fun with her family and friends, which included playing basketball and eating ice cream at the Oregon Trail Days.
“I’ve been working very hard at practice and at home. Some of the drills I do are ladder, free throws, layups and so much more. My favorite drill is the layup drill,” Perkins said. “It felt very good [winning five games in a row]. It was hard work but we worked hard for it and it showed.”
Emma Ruiz recalled her favorite moment as winning the championship with family in attendance.
“Knowing we had to play more games to get to the championship meant I would have to play hard and give it my best,” she said.
Her sister, Emily Ruiz, agreed with her sister that winning the tournament and hanging out with friends and family was her favorite tournament moment.
“I know I had to work hard over and over to win. I didn’t want to lose and let my team down so I played as hard as I could,” Emily said.
