93 kids, three generations of coaches, and a vision a decade in the making
MUSCATINE, Iowa — With sneakers squeaking across the polished hardwood and encouragement echoing off the walls, the new Susan Clark Junior High Athletic Facility came alive this week as 93 young athletes take part in the Next Level Basketball Camp.
This is the first event ever held at the newly completed facility, which was built for versatility, with space to host three simultaneous youth games or pivot to a full-size court setup for high school-level scrimmages and showcases. The expanded space meant more drills, more stations, and more opportunities to sharpen skills as a group.
A Decade of Dedication
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Terrance and Elva Watson leading the Next Level program, which they took over from coaches Brandon Welsch and Travis Calvert. Since then, the couple has helped grow the program into a foundational piece of Muscatine youth sports. This is the sixth official camp and the fourth since COVID. Last basketball season, Next Level had ten teams and just over 100 players from 3rd through 8th grades.
A Family Affair with Deep Roots
What truly sets the camp apart is the coaching roster—a multi-generational lineup rooted in family, community, and Muskie history. Terrance and Elva are joined this year by Terrance’s father, local legend Spencer Lloyd, their two children, Avian and Taryn, plus Luke Phelps and Kayvion Hodges. Avian and Kayvion, fresh off their senior seasons with the Muscatine High School varsity team, and Taryn bring recent player experience and relatable leadership to the younger generation. Luke Phelps, a former Muskie varsity standout and now a Next Level coach, sets the tone with firm expectations and a focus on discipline that pushes young athletes to grow.
“Watching these kids grow from learning layups in second and third grade to cutting down nets as MAC champs is what Next Level is all about,” said Terrance Watson. “It’s not just about basketball, it’s about a group of coaches and parents investing in kids and building something that lasts. “
Building a Pipeline of Talent and Character
Next Level’s influence is already evident at the high school level. Last year’s championship varsity team was the first to include players who had gone through every phase of the program once it reached full steam—a testament to how long the seeds of success have been planted. Hodges, one of the leaders of last season’s MAC championship team, credits the program for his development: “Next Level is a good program run by great people. I started back in fifth grade, and most of our team grew up playing together in it. It helped me become who I am today and made me love the game even more.”
“We wanted to change the culture of basketball in Muscatine,” said Lloyd. “That takes time, consistency, belief and a great team of people. We’re seeing the results now.”
The Facility and the Future
For some of the 93 kids in the gym, this was their first real taste of structured, high-energy basketball. For others, it was just the next chapter in a story that started years ago with Next Level. “They’re looking at coaches who used to be exactly where they are,” said Taryn Watson. “It shows them they’re not that far off, that they belong.” With one day left of this year’s camp, the message is clear: Muscatine basketball isn’t just evolving—it’s thriving, thanks to athletes, families, coaches, leaders and a future-focused vision from Next Level.
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
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Next Level Basketball Camp 2025, Muscatine, IA
