The second and third grade teams of the NyaStrong Warriors Academy each secured first place in a three-on-three tournament at Tenino Middle School on Saturday, Feb. 18, against teams from the Rochester and Tumwater areas.
The second grade team features Brielle Sirjesse, McKenna Russell, Mikayla Shahan and Kora Hadaller, while the third grade team includes Sariah Parker, Loreina Rosado-Jove, Alasiah Noyes and Reagen Swift.
The NyaStrong Warriors have racked up a combined 27 consecutive wins in their three seasons of existence and haven’t collected a loss yet.
“I think what prepares them to excel is the way we do it, progress comes quick,” Coach Richard Durham said. “The girls love getting better and they understand putting the work in is how that happens.”
Durham said the girls showcased grit, mental toughness and a love for the sport during the competition, which was the first tournament and games the new group of girls played together.
An important aspect to building a successful program is seeing his student-athletes buy in, Durham said, and run the system their coaches install. But perhaps the most important aspect to running a successful program is having dedicated parents and families that are committed to supporting the program.
Jennifer Christian, who coaches the third grade team, said her girls are built differently than others their age.
“They have so much passion for the game. The harder I push the tougher they get,” Christian said, later adding, “Everything I’ve thrown at these young ladies, they’ve absorbed and they come back three nights a week to do it all over again.”
Christian also emphasized the importance of the support the girls receive from their families.
“I’m thankful that they trust me with their kids and I love being on this ride with them all,” Christian said. “The sweetest reward is how it all came together this weekend. We played the way we practiced and went undefeated in our first annual NyaStrong Warriors Academy 3v3 tournament in Tenino.”
Durham added that having a school administration that provides them with a place to practice and facilitate a practice schedule is another area of importance for the program.
The NyaStrong Warriors will be in action this summer with their three-on-three team. They’re hopeful to see their first tournament by the time Hoopfest rolls around at the end of June. The teams are currently looking for more girls to join the roster for summer basketball action.
Durham added that all the girls play for free.
The program honors former Yelm High School student Nya Jaquez, who died in 2016 as a result of a rare form of colon cancer that is typically found in older adults.
Six and a half years after she died, Jaquez’s legacy lives on through the NyaStrong Warriors Academy.
Anyone who is looking to join the NyaStrong Warriors Academy can find out more information through the Facebook page titled “NyaStrong Warrior’s Academy.”
