MUSCATINE, Iowa–Elva and Terrence Watson’s ties to Muscatine run deep. Elva Watson spent her entire childhood growing up in the city, and Terrence Watson spent his early elementary years here. Their ties to basketball go just as far back. Terrence Watson’s father, Spencer Lloyd, coached the Muscatine High School Varsity Basketball team at two different points over the last 30 years.

The Watsons settled in Muscatine in 2001 to raise their own family. When their son got interested in basketball, Terrence welcomed the chance to coach his YMCA team. His son and his friends loved the experience so much that they did not want to stop when the season ended. To keep playing, the kids joined Next Level Muskie Basketball, the official feeder program for the Muscatine High School Basketball team, then led by Brandon Welsch. When he stepped down from the program in 2016, he invited the Watsons to take over Next Level, and they accepted the challenge.

Since then, the Watsons have continued to carry on Next Level’s mission to, “teach, develop, organize, manage, and offer youth players the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of basketball while instilling life-lessons and values such as character, teamwork, discipline, respect, and sportsmanship.” They currently offer travel basketball teams for boys in third through eighth grade that help prepare them for high school play.

Through running Next Level, Terrence Watson has enjoyed the opportunity of getting to work closely with his father, and getting to build meaningful relationships with players. “As we continue to add new players and teams, I enjoy watching the kids fall in love with the game of basketball,” he shared.

The Watsons have also enjoyed watching the program grow, thrive, and develop a positive reputation everywhere they play. “I’m most proud of the growth and with the growth of the diversity you see within our teams,” said Terrance Watson.

“When we attend tournaments, I have tournament directors that go out of their way to complement our teams and coaches, not only for their play but their sportsmanship and character. I’m proud we are representing our community,” added Elva Watson. As long-time members of a close and supportive community, the Watsons value getting to represent it so positively through everything they do.