About Us

Our Story

Originally founded as the ‘Missouri Valley Eclipse Amateur Athletic Club,’ the club is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in 2002 by Joe Erskine.  

In 2008 the Missouri Valley Eclipse and the Missouri Valley Power merged into one organization. This expanded the club and brought together like-minded players, parents and coaches who strive for the achievement of similar goals at all levels of the organization. Since the clubs humble beginning - starting with just 2 teams, it has grown to over 300 girls. 

In 2017, the Eclipse merged with Next Level Hoops Academy out of Wichita, KS, to become the Next Level Eclipse. The merger is the combination of two highly successful girls basketball clubs. Eclipse Basketball is affiliated with BlueStar Basketball/USJN.

Our Mission

The mission of the program is to foster national amateur sports and develop amateur athletes for that competition.

These goals are accomplished through techniques that are designed to improve basketball skills, enable players to compete at a high skill level, develop self-confidence, promote sportsmanship, and teach the value of teamwork… all through the sport of basketball.

The Eclipse strives to sustain a competitive and respectable organization that maintains integrity at all times and to promote amateur basketball for all players regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin or ancestry.

Gary GABL Honor

Coaches & Staff

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“I was surrounded by amazing players and coaches that were willing to put in the time to help me improve my talents and develop life skills that would make me a great basketball player, and an even better person.”

Ashton Verhulst

Eclipse Player 2014-2020

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Gary Brown
Recruiting Coordinator

816-522-5835

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Joe Erskine
Co-Director and Coach

913-980-7941
Team:
6th Red

Jon Lews

Jon Lewis
Co-Director and Coach

913-221-8809
Teams:
17u Blue Star
5th Red

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Robin Verhulst

Program Director

913-558-8442

James Knight

James Knight

Coach

Team:
17u Blue Star

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Dru Wheatcroft
Coach

913-530-4081
Team:
17u Red

Damon Bell

Damon Bell

Coach

Team:
17u Red

Emily Fischer

Emily Fischer

Coach

Team:
17u Red

David Strong

Dave Strong

Coach

816-550-1369
Team:
17u Black

BJ Dunbar

BJ Dunbar

Coach

816-349-0946
Team:
16u Blue Star

Julius Dunn

Julius Dunn

Coach

Team:
16u Blue Star

Andy Kelley

Andy Kelley

Coach

913.620.3401
Team:
16u Red

Don Shipman

Don Shipman

Coach

Team:
16u Red

Terrell Ford

Terrell Ford

Coach

Teams:
15u Blue Star
14u Blue Star Academy

Andy Wendte

Andy Wendt

Caoch

Teams:
15u Blue Star
14u Blue Star Academy

Keith Smith

Keith Smith

Coach

913-206-6062
Teams:
15u Black & White
6th Black & White

Chad Lynn

Chad Lynn

Coach

816-564-8503
Team:
14u Blue Star Academy

TJ Taylor

TJ Taylor

Coach

269.615.0068
Teams:
14u Blue Star Academy

Lonnie Sauter

Lonnie Sauter

Coach

913.461.8246
Team:
14u Red

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Byron Blaine

Coach

Team:
14u Red

David Jack

David Jack

Coach

Team:
14u Black

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Keith McCullough

Coach

Team:
14u White

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Luci Sarcone

Coach

Team:
14u White

Troy Wade

Troy Wade

Coach

913.747.5034
Team:
7th Red

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Jon Novacek

Coach

Team:
7th Red

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Patrick McCallop

Coach

913.940.5475
Team:
7th Black

Quinton Branch

Quinton Branch

Coach

Team:
6th Red

Joe Kauten

Joe Kauten

Coach

Teams:
6th Black & White

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Dani Rehor

Coach

Teams:
6th Black & White

Steve Allee

Steve Allee

Coach

Team:
5th Red

Megan Strathman

Megan Strathman

Coach

Team:
5th Black

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Brad Macrorie

Coach

Team:
5th Black

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Brian Minich

Coach

Teams:
5th White

Brad Parrack

Brad Parrack

Coach

913.850.8300
Team:
4th Red

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Pat Gibbs

Coach

Team:
4th Red

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Jenn McMillin

Coach

Team:
4th Black

Jim Hubbard

Jim Hubbard

Coach

Teams:
4th Black

Brett McFall

Brett McFall

Coach

Team:
3rd Red

Aaron Bates

Aaron Bates

Coach

Team:
3rd Red

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Philip Mein

Coach

Team:
3rd Black

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Ryan Noonan

Coach

Teams:
3rd Black

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Elijah Johnson

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Natalie Knight-Johnson

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David Verhulst

David Verhulst

Skill Instructor

Wanna Play?

Here is how to get started:

1. Come to a practice

1. Come to a practice

Spend an hour of your time with us and we’ll have the chance to get to know each other. You’ll see what our club is really about!

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2. Get matched

We’ll help you find a team that fits your unique goals and abilities. We have teams available for any skill level so that you can grow the way you need to.

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3. Grow your skills

Become a member of one our top performing teams and take your game to the next level.

Ready to play?

Attend a practice