Tag Archives: Potter’s House

Potter’s House turns to defense, grabs league win against West Michigan Aviation

January 14, 2023Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Sportsbasketball, Potter's House, West Michigan Aviation AcademyJoanne

By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor

From left, Joy McClendon, 5, and Ivy Andreas, 2, from Potter's House (WKTV) — From left, Puma team members: Joy McClendon, 5, and Ivy Andreas, 2. (WKTV)

Defense was the name of the game as Potter’s House Christian defeated West Michigan Aviation 54-23 in an Alliance League girls basketball game.

The Pumas took command of the game with their lock-down defense right from the opening tip allowing just a single point in the first quarter and a single field goal in the second period enroute to taking a commanding 25-3 halftime lead.

“We got our full-court press working pretty well,” said Potter’s House Christian coach Jake Hoogstrate. “Our pressure forced a lot of turnovers.”

Ivy Andreas was one of the ringleaders of the Puma defense.

“Ivy was all over the place defensively,” Hoogstrate said. “She was a big key in limiting them to three points in the first half. She also had a lot of assists on offense and played a great game.”

Playing strong defense is a point of pride for the Pumas who improved to 8-4 overall for the season and 2-0 in the Alliance League.

“We pride ourselves in how we play defense,” Hoogstrate said. “Playing strong defense is definitely a focus of our team over the years. We definitely didn’t play great defense on Tuesday at Saugatuck so we wanted to come out tonight and play great defense.”

Potter's House, Emmonne Craig — Potter’s House’s Emmonne Craig helped with the Puma’s defense. (WKTV)

Potter’s House extended the lead to 37-10 at the end of the third quarter and outscored West Michigan Aviation 17-13 in the final quarter.

“We got off to a hot start which was fun,” Hoogstrate said. “It’s always good to see the ball go in the basket early.”

Anyieth Nhial led the way on offense for the Pumas with 23 points. Joy McClendon added eight points while Annie Winkle, Emily Baez and Emonne Craig added six points apiece.

Potter’s House Christian returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Muskegon Oakridge.

West Michigan Aviation was led on offense by Ava Bazuin who scored 13 of the Aviators 23 points. West Michigan Aviation fell to 5-7 overall for the season and 1-1 in the conference. The Aviators are off until Jan. 25 when they travel to Grand Rapids Sacred Heart.

Potter’s House Christian runner a quick learner to the top

August 9, 20223-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigancross country, Potter's House, sports, WyomingCris Greer

(From left) Logan Swiney, Lezawe Osterink, Jackson Rodriquez and Ian Palacios after winning the 3,200-meter relay at last spring’s D-4 track and field finals in Hudsonville. (Courtesy)

By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor and Anna Johns, Contributing Writer

Only running competitively since his freshman year, incoming senior Lezawe “Moses” Osterink has racked up some big titles in high school.

Four state titles to be exact running for Wyoming Potter’s House Christian.

Lezawe “Moses” Osterink (far left) stands atop the podium after winning the 1,600-meter run at the D-4 state track and field finals last spring. (Courtesy)

Last spring, the Potter’s House runner was a state champion in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at the MHSAA Division 4 track and field finals in Hudsonville.

In addition, Osterink was a member of the winning 3,200-meter relay with teammates Ian Palacios, Jackson Rodriguez and Logan Swiney. The Pumas placed third at the track and field finals.

Cross country state champ in D-4

Osterink also won the D-4 boys cross country individual title last fall with a time of 15:50.60 in the 5k race, while the team finished 12th in state.

“Winning state was great,” said Osterink, who was born in Ethiopia and adopted in the United States in 2007. “The first title was definitely more special because I wasn’t able to run at state since freshman year, and to complete a good season and then cap it off with a win was really cool.

“The track titles were a lot more fun since I was able to win with my teammates and perform better the previous year, but also really go after that team title.”

Originally, he was supposed to run at the D-4 cross country finals in 2020, but a collarbone injury sidelined him. Luckily, he was able to get back at it the following season and won all 13 races in the fall of 2021 on top of the title.

Peanut butter and honey

“This (injury) definitely was kind of like a spark that motivated me to train even harder than I had previously and want to go achieve the goals I had set for myself,” said Osterink, who eats his favorite peanut butter and honey sandwich almost daily.

Not always a runner

It wasn’t until the summer before his freshmen year that he became interested in the sport. At first he played basketball, but when he learned Potter’s House was starting a cross country team he wanted to join.

The Potter’s House boys track team took first place in its D-4 regional and finished third in the state finals last spring. (Courtesy)

“It really just started out as I’m going to run to stay in shape for basketball to then quitting basketball so I can run more,” said Osterink, who enjoys watching sports and hanging out with friends.

“It’s a unique sport that intrigues me especially for being one of the purest sports, and the fact that there is so much to learn from training to racing and just the mental and competitive battles.

“One of the biggest things that has lured me is the community aspect of running. I have met so many cool people through this sport.”

Interested in running in college, Osterink is undecided on where he’ll attend, but is contemplating studying sports management or business.

Potter’s House runner Lezawe “Moses” Osterink prepares for the 1,600-meter run. (Courtesy)

Potter’s House Athletic Director Kara Haskill said Moses is a tremendous athlete with a humble personality.

“He works hard in school to maintain his 3.8 GPA,” she continued. “He’s a strong leader with a calm disposition.”

“We love having Moses as a part of our community and we’re so proud of all of his accomplishments. He has a bright future ahead of him.”

Potter’s House girls basketball host Ravenna in WKTV’s Feature Game Tuesday, then a doubleheader at Kelloggsville Friday

January 3, 20223-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sportsKelloggsville High School, Potter's House, WKTV Featured game, WKTV Sports CoverageJoanne

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Featured Game coverage of local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school basketball will offer up three games this week, beginning with the Wyoming Potter’s House girls hosting Ravenna on Tuesday, Jan. 4, and a boys and girls basketball doubleheader on Friday, Jan. 7, at Kelloggsville when NorthPointe Christian visits.

WKTV was originally scheduled to cover a game at East Kentwood, with the girls team hosting Muskegon, on Jan. 4. But the non-conference game has been cancelled due to a pandemic safety issue.

The Potter’s House Pumas girls enter the week 2-4 in early season play, including a 43-36 win at Cedar Springs on Dec. 21 in their last game, while Ravenna enters 2-3.

On Friday, and opening the team’s OK Conference Silver schedule, the Kelloggsville boys will begin the doubleheader with a 6 p.m. tip-off. Starting the week, the Rockets are 3-2 and the in early season action, with NorthPointe at 1-4.

The Kelloggsville girls will tip-off their OK Silver schedule at about 7:30 p.m., and enter the week with a 2-3 record before a scheduled Tuesday, Jan. 4 home game against Covenant Christian. The NorthPointe girls come to Kelloggsville with a 5-0 record.

Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)

The tentative WKTV Feature Game schedule for the remainder of January and February is as follows:

Tuesday, Jan. 11, girls basketball, Holland at Wyoming

Friday, Jan. 14, boys and girls basketball, Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights.

Friday, Jan. 21, boys basketball, Zeeland East at Wyoming

Tuesday, Jan. 25, boys basketball, Ottawa Hills at South Christian

Friday, Jan. 28, boys and girls basketball, Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights

Wednesday, Feb. 2, boys hockey, Manistee at East Kentwood

Friday, Feb. 4, boys and girls basketball, Grand River prep at Potter’s House

Tuesday, Feb. 8, boys basketball, Holland at Wyoming

Friday, Feb. 11, boys hockey, Petoskey at East Kentwood

Friday, Feb. 18, boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)

Tuesday, Feb. 22, boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood

Friday, Feb. 25, boys and girls basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

COVID’s changes to meets, spectators cannot stop Potter’s House cross country from improvement goals

September 25, 2020Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connectioncross country, Potter's House, WKTV Sports CoverageJoanne

Wyoming Potter’s House cross country team after winning the 2019 Regional championship (Courtesy of Paul J. Hart)

By Zach Cantalice, WKTV intern

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming’s The Potter’s House Christian High School started their cross country program last year but their success looked like an established program which has been winning for years.

Coach Kristopher Koster led the first-year high school boys’ team to the state finals, where his team made a statement about their arrival. The Potter’s House boy’s team finished 6th overall as a team in all of Division 4.

But this season, like many other sports and teams around the area, cross country is tasked with adjusting to the changes caused by Covid-19, according to coach Koster.

For starters, warmups for events have been cut down to as short as 15 minutes for a race. The limit of competitors has also been cut down to 70 racers. Each school races their top seven runners so this new rule limits 10 teams to a race at a time. Bigger cross country meets are now splitting up meets over a long day or even multiple days to complete the meet.

“Teams now have team boxes their team must stand in at the starting line,” Koster told WKTV. “Each team box has a box or two to separate a team from another team.”

“This trend of separating teams also occurs at the finish line,” he said. “Usually following the race, teams would gather together and have an award ceremony to hand out medals and team awards. COVID-19 has eliminated award ceremonies as medals are handed out as soon as you finish your race. After being handed your award, you are required to immediately go to your team’s bus and leave. Teams are not permitted to even do a cool-off jog on the site of the meet.”

Coach Koster also said that “most meets have no spectators due to the difficulty regulating two guests per runner. If the meet sees a spectator from your team then they will disqualify your team.”

Despite changes, coach and team expects success

Even with all the changes, coach Koster is confident in his team’s ability to have continued success.

The Potter’s House top three boys’ team returners — senior Andrew Blum and sophomores Moses Osterink and Logan Swiney — are expected to be big for this year’s team.

Coach Koster says the there make the team “so much better from last season that it’s almost like we have three guys who maybe aren’t as good as Caleb Stout last year. But it could be. by the end of the year, instead of just having the one guy who consistently finished at the top of races.”

The boys team, overall, has high goals for this season.

“I am confident we can place much higher in states,” another senior, Eli Hart, said to WKTV.

Coach Koster also coaches the girls’ cross country at the high school and the middle school team at the elementary school. The girls’ high school team had one runner, Ester Cole, attend the state finals last year. But the girls hope to attend as a team this season.

“Our team goal, the girls want to go to states,” Erika VerBeek said.

Coach Koster has also installed a mindset into this team to push each other everyday, no matter what your spot on this team is.

“If the 12th guy gets better that pushes the 11th guy and the dominoes keep falling all the way to the top,” coach Koster said. “Everyone has an impact.”

This mindset has connected with his runners.

“We are trying to become stronger runners, stronger people, and stronger followers of Christ,” said Joshua Lundberg.

Two local teams make it to state FIRST robotics competition

April 13, 20183-bottomGodfrey Lee High School, Potter's House, Rebel Robotics, Saginaw Valley State University, Tactical HamsJoanne

The state competition will take place tomorrow and Friday at Saginaw Valley State University.

Two local rookie teams, Lee High School’s Rebel Robotics and Potter’s House Tactical Hams, have qualified for the Michigan State Championship for FIRST Robotics set for this weekend, running through Saturday.

In a recent letter to residents and friends of the Godfrey Lee Public Schools, Superintendent Kevin Polsten noted that the Rebel Robotics finished runner-up “in both invitationals they have participated in. It goes to show the success that can be had when we provide opportunities to our students.”

Being first year teams, both teams receive grants from the FIRST Robotics organization. Polsten said the district is looking to identify a financial and technical partner to support the efforts of the program. Anyone interested in donating to the Lee Robotics team is encouraged to visit the district website at Godfrey-Lee.org .

Currently, there is a fundraising effort for the Lee robotics team to help them go to state which is at Saginaw Valley State University. The estimated cost is more than $8,000 to send the team. For more information, contact the administration offices.

To watch the state competition live, which is tomorrow and Friday, go to http://www.firstinmichigan.org/stream.php. To check out the WKTV coverage of the March 30 and 31 district meet at East Kentwood High School, click here.

To learn more about FIRST Robotics, go to firstinspires.org.

Girls basketball district finals at Potter’s House added to WKTV featured game schedule

March 1, 20183-bottom, City of Wyoming, SportsPotter's House, West Michigan Lutheran High School, WKTV Sports CoverageJoanne

WKTV offers on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood sports events and government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The WKTV sports truck was on the road Wednesday night at the girls high school District 57 tournament at Wyoming Godwin Heights and, after the outcome of the early week tournament action, we have added the Friday, March 2, Class D District 98 finals at Wyoming Potter’s House Christian to our coverage schedule.

The 6 p.m. game will pit host Potter’s House (12-10 on the season) against West Michigan Lutheran (15-5). The two teams met previously this season, when Potter’s House won, 31-29, on Dec. 5, 2017. To get to the finals, Potter’s House defeated Holland Calvary, 37-27, on Monday; then defeated Tri-unity Christian, 25-22, on Wednesday. WML gained a bye in the first round and defeated Byron Center Zion Christian, 38-33, on Wednesday. The winner of the District 98 will move on to face the winner of District 99 in the Regional 25 bracket at Burr Oak.

The Potter’s House vs. WML game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeated Saturday at 11 a.m., on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.

Repeats of the two semifinals games WKTV covered Wednesday, Feb. 28, Wyoming Kelloggsville vs. West Michigan Aviation Academy and Wyoming Godwin Heights vs. Grand Rapids South Christian, will be rebroadcast Saturday after the District 98, at about 12:30 p.m.

And check back on Monday, March 5, to see where the WKTV coverage crew will be as boys basketball district action starts.

All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .

The complete schedule of all local high school sports action, and for any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/

Many of the private schools also are starting before Labor Day

August 23, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyomingback to school, Calvin Christian, Grand River Prep High School, Potter's House, South Christian High School, Tri-Unity Christian, West Michigan Aviation AcademyJoanne

It is not just the local school that will be starting before Labor Day, but many of the area’s private schools as well.

Both Wyoming and Kentwood are home to several faith-based and charter schools. Most of these schools will be opening Aug. 28. Those schools include: Grand River Prep, Potters House, South Christian High School, West Michigan Aviation Academy, West Michigan Lutheran ad Legacy Christian School. West Catholic and Catholic Central High Schools also are starting on Aug. 28.

Grand Rapids Christian High School started before everyone — and this includes public schools as well — on Aug. 16, while the first day of school for all the Calvin Christian schools is Aug. 29

Tri Unity Christian High School is one of the only private schools scheduled to start after Labor Day on Sept. 5.

Michigan law mandates that public schools may not start before Labor Day. However, districts may seek a wavier with the Michigan Department of Education reporting a record number of waivers for this school year totaling 123. This included 99 school districts and charter schools and 24 intermediate school districts, which includes Kent Intermediate School District. The Kent Career Technical Center is started on Monday, Aug. 21.

A for a list of the public school start dates, click here.

Game on: WKTV’s featured games for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3

January 31, 2017City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public SchoolsCalvin Christian, Kelloggsville High School, Potter's House, Zion Christian High SchoolJoanne

This week’s WKTV featured sports coverage includes four basketball games.

WKTV Staff

This week in WKTV’s featured high school sports games, the coverage crew will be at Wyoming’s The Potter’s House Christian High School for a doubleheader of girls and boys basketball game against Byron Center Zion Christian on Tuesday Jan. 31, and then traveling to Wyoming Kelloggsville for the girls and boys games against Grandville Calvin Christian on Friday Feb. 3.

In the Tuesday games, Potter’s House girls team enters the week with at 3-6 record, 1-1 in the Alliance League, while the Zion Christian girls team enters with a 6-3 record (0-1 in league). On the boys side, Potter’s House enters with a 5-5 overall record but 2-1 in the Alliance League, while Zion Christian is 5-4 overall and 1-0 in league. (Records are according to MHSAA.)

In the Friday games, The Kellogsville girls team enters this week with a 2-7 overall record, 0-5 in the OK Silver Conference, while Calvin Christian is 8-5 but leading the Silver at 5-0. On the boys side, Kelloggsville enters at 9-2 overall and 5-1 in conference, while Calvin Christian is 9-2 and 4-2.

WKTV videos and broadcasts several games each week during high school sports season.

Each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood. Every Friday game will be aired that night on Live Wire 24 at 10:30 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action in January, see now.wktv.org/sports/

DVDs of each game are also available for purchase at $20 including shipping. For more information, visit WKTV.org

Santa and Mrs. Claus to visit airport during 22nd Annual Holiday Music Festival

December 5, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingEast Kentwood High School, Ford Airport, Godfrey-Lee, Legacy Christian, Potter's House, South Christian High School, Wyoming Junior HighJoanne

By Tara Hernandez

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is getting into the holiday spirit with a music festival, and a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus.

Kris Kringle will be listening to children’s requests, and passing out treats with Mrs. Claus in the Airport’s Grand Hall from 1 – 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camera to snap a photo with Santa Claus. Photos with Santa are free of charge, but the airport is asking guests to bring in two non-perishable food items per person.

In addition to Santa’s appearance, GFIA’s traditional Holiday Music Festival is running the week of December 5-9. The 22nd Annual Holiday Music Festival brings in middle and high school choirs from around West Michigan singing a variety of Christmas carols.

Of the 15 choirs performing, several of those are from the Wyoming and Kentwood area. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 1:30 p.m. is Legacy Christian 7th and 8th Grade Choir. Wednesday, Dec. 7, the choir from Godfrey-Lee High School performs at 11 a.m. followed by East Kentwood High School Varsity Voices at noon. Thursday, Dec. 8, the Madrigals from South Christian High School perform at 1 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Wyoming Junior High Concert Choir performs at 10 a.m. with the choir from the Potter’s House at 2 p.m.

A full schedule of performances, which run daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is available on the Airport’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GeraldRFordInternationalAirport.

“Our airport is extremely busy around the holidays, but it is important for us to reflect upon what this season is all about,” said GFIA Interim President & CEO Phil Johnson. “We are hoping we can put some smiles on children’s faces as they sit on Santa’s lap and listen to carols, and at the same time we are asking West Michigan to give back to the community by donating non-perishable food items to those in need.”

The donated food items will go to Mel Trotter Ministries – a Grand Rapids organization serving the hungry, homeless and hurting in West Michigan through its shelter, food pantry, and job readiness and housing placement services.

“Life-change can start with a meal. That’s why we are blessed to partner with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport during our Fall Food Drive again this year,” said Dennis Van Kampen, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries. “Partnerships like this one help make it possible for Mel Trotter Ministries to stock our pantry and serve more than 110 families a week who are seeking emergency food assistance.”