NyaStrong Warriors Academy wins Tumwater Competitive League championship

Fifth grade girls defeat Tumwater team 25-10 to clinch title

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The fifth grade NyaStrong Warriors Academy (NWA) capped off a highly successful 5-on-5 season by picking up a league championship in the Tumwater Competitive League on Saturday, Jan. 11.

NWA head coach Richard Durham said his team defeated the Tumwater program 25-10 in the Tumwater Competitive League fifth grade girls championship game. After debuting in the league on Nov. 23, the team went 12-0 including a tournament victory on Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 in the January Jumper in Centralia. The team picked up wins against Napavine, 29-20, and Tumwater, 21-16, to win that specific tournament and qualify for the fifth grade state competition.

“All that being said, we are not going to state this year. With only five girls we are not prepared for any kind of foul trouble, injury or something unforeseen,” Durham told the Nisqually Valley News. “Fingers crossed is an in-the-moment concept, not something you lead strategy with. We’re going to add two or three more girls that can play. That will put us in a position where we are prepared to make a run for the sixth grade state competition in 2026 in Spokane.”

NWA intends to honor the life of former Yelm High School student Nya Jaquez, who tragically lost her life after a multi-year battle with signet ring cell carcinoma during her sophomore year in 2016. During her fight with cancer, Jaquez qualified for the WIAA’s state golf tournament and even attended practices and competitions after her cancer treatments in Seattle. Each year, Durham shares Jaquez’s story of perseverance with each of his athletes. 

Durham said this year’s 5-on-5 team amazes him because the roster was made up at the last minute by using girls from previous teams and recruiting new members. This year’s team includes Kora Hadaller and Loreina Jove-Karlik, who both were with the program when it moved to Tenino in November of 2022.

“They are a combined 54-3 and 10-0 in championship games, incredible leaders,” Durham said of the two athletes. “What’s even more impressive about those two young ladies is eight of the 10 championships they have won have been with different girls on our roster.”

The 5-on-5 roster includes Hadaller, Jove-Karlik, Alasiah Noyes, Josi Winn and Janna Perkins. Hadaller said she’s proud of herself and her teammates for putting in the hours to succeed as a team.

“I love basketball,” Hadaller said. “My favorite part of this season with my teammates was winning the championship at our last tournament to qualify us for state. Individually, my favorite part has been watching my dribbling and shooting improve. I’m becoming more and more confident on the court and that allows me to be the best teammate I can be.”

Hadaller’s dad, Jared, said Kora has benefited from the NWA program in a variety of ways.

“First and foremost, her ball handling, shooting and defense has dramatically improved since she first joined the program,” Jared said. “Furthermore, the NWA program teaches the players to battle through adversity while giving 100% effort and keeping a positive attitude. These are essential life skills that will help her on and off the court.”

Jove-Karlik said it means a lot to see her team’s hard work in practices and tournaments throughout the season has paid off. She said she couldn’t have done it without her coach and her teammates.

“My favorite part of the season with my teammates is practicing hard together and winning together. My favorite part individually is seeing how many improvements I’ve made from my precious games,” Jove-Karlik said.

Jove-Karlik’s mother, Queenie, said her daughter has benefited greatly from the NWA program by gaining all of her skills through the hard work of the team.



“She started with knowing absolutely nothing about basketball to winning state championship qualifiers,” Queenie said. “The program had her focus more on sports as opposed to screen time, which is always a win.”

Noyes said that practices with her NWA teammates have been harder than the games. She said Durham is pushing them their hardest to prepare them for championships.

“Being part of this team has been worth all of the hard work,” Noyes said. “I know this because of all the championships we have as a team. I have really enjoyed learning new skills. I am having a ton of fun.”

Noyes’ father, Paul, said his daughter has benefited in countless ways from being part of the NWA basketball program. He said the program has fostered an intense feeling of belonging for his daughter as she’s grown in skill, ability and fitness with her teammates.

“This team has also instilled a strong sense of discipline, commitment and time management, as well as resilience and mental toughness,” Paul said. “She has experienced a boost in her confidence and self-esteem, and it has given her a sense of accomplishment and empowerment which are qualities that will serve her now and in the future on or off the court.”

Winn said it meant a lot to her to win the championship and qualify for the state tournament together as a team because it shows they’ve worked really hard to earn that opportunity.

“So far my favorite part of this season is growing as a team and winning championships. My favorite part individually is improving on everything,” Winn said. “It’s been worth all of the hard work because I have improved as a player.”

Winn’s mother, Laura, highlighted the athletic and life skills her daughter has gained from competing in the NWA program.

“My daughter has benefited from being on the NWA team by learning grit, hard work and mental toughness,” Laura said. “She has learned how to be a good teammate.”

Perkins said she’s happy to see all of her team’s hard work paying off by competing for and winning championships. She said it took a lot to qualify for championship games, and the entire team had to work together to get better.

“All of the hard work in practice is worth it to make the tournaments the funnest time together,” Perkins said. “I’m having fun. My favorite part of the season with my teammates is simply playing together, but winning the championship was another bonus. My favorite part individually was seeing my teammates have a blast.”

Perkins’ mother, Kimberly, said that NWA has helped her daughter turn into the player she is and that she can only improve.

“NWA has helped my daughter with a space in a gym to learn and grow in the sport she enjoys with her best friends,” Kimberly said. “She loves the opportunity it gives. Programs like this one are hard to find.”