PV THUNDER​ AAU GIRLS BBALL

GIRLS AAU Basketball

Potomac Valley Thunder partners with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to develop its coaches. The PCA goal is to develop Better Athletes, Better People and the following become the prevailing models in youth and high school sports:

  • The Double-Goal Coach, who strives to win while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports
  • The Second-Goal Parent, who concentrates on life lessons, while letting coaches and athletes focus on competing

  • The Triple-Impact Competitor, who strives to impact sport on three levels by improving oneself, teammates and the game as a whole.​

Coach Krystal Ferguson
Executive Director & Head Coach, PVT 17U & PVT 2025 Teams
Coach Krystal Ferguson has been involved in basketball and athletics for 25 years, first as an avid basketball player, and now in the role of mentor and coach. Krystal grew up in Lynchburg, VA where she attended E.C. Glass High School. During her time there, she was part of the varsity basketball team for four years and was elected team captain for two of those years. In addition, she played competitively on an AAU team. Krystal is a graduate of James Madison University and the University of Maryland - College Park. Besides coaching the PV Thunder girls, she also serves as the assistant varsity basketball coach at McLean High School and assisted with the first district championship in 42yrs! Prior to joining the McLean coaching staff, Krystal served as the head varsity coach at a local private school where she was able to rebuild the program, which resulted in the schools first appearance and ranking in the VISAA state tournament.  Krystal brings her experience and passion for working with youth to help the PV Thunder girls become the best players that they can!


Coach Alexandra (Alex) Paraloglou
Executive Director & Head Coach - PVT 2024 Team

Coach Alex Paraloglou is a graduate of Winston Churchill High School in 2010 and played basketball all four years. She also played AAU basketball before and during high school. After graduating, she pursued a bioengineering degree at the University of Maryland. She graduated from UMD in May of 2014 and began working as an IT consultant. Coach Alex enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and puppy, and playing sports. Besides coaching the PV Thunder girls, Coach Alex is also an assistant varsity coach at Winston Churchill High School. Coach Alex brings her experience for working with youth to help the PV Thunder girls become the best players that they can!


Coach Jason Goldblatt
Assistant Coach - PVT 2024 Team

Coach Jason has been involved in basketball and athletics throughout his life. Growing up in Potomac, MD, Jason played on the first Bullis Boy's Basketball Team in school history to win the IAC Championship. Jason is a graduate of Duke University and also obtained his JD from George Washington University and his Masters of Business in Real Estate from John's Hopkins University. Immediately after college, Jason coached boys basketball for two years at The Bullis School.  The father of two PV Thunder girls (one current and one former), Jason has coached boys and girls and many different ages and skill levels focusing on teamwork, fundamentals and skill work. More than anything, Coach Jason is most focused on fostering a love for the game and leaving his girls with positive feelings about basketball.

Coach Adeeb Matin
Assistant Coach, PVT 2025 & PVT 2028 Teams

Coach Adeeb Matin has been passionately involved with basketball for majority of his life and is now pursuing a career in youth development through basketball. Adeeb was born in Sydney, Australia, however has spent most of his life in Montgomery/Howard County, Maryland. Growing up, Adeeb has participated in all levels of competition in regards to basketball. This includes AAU, recreational, collegiate intramural, and even a brief overseas opportunity in the United Kingdom. Adeeb graduated with an undergrad degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, College Park and seeks to help the youth grow and improve as individuals and athletes through the experience of sport. Recently Adeeb founded his own basketball training company, The Roo Lab, where he focuses on examining the micro skills in basketball to give players every possible edge against their opposition. Most importantly, Adeeb believes that sport, especially basketball, brings communities together and gives people an opportunity to discover their potential both on and off the court. ​​

Coach Jillian Bennett
Head Coach - PVT 2026 Team

Coach Jill is a Jersey girl who recently relocated to the area.  She attended Holy Cross High School in Delran, New Jersey, where she played Basketball and Track & Field for four years. After High School, she attended Wilmington University, where she received a scholarship to play Division II Women's Basketball. Jillian was named captain of her team for the last two seasons at Wilmington. During her senior year in college, she had the opportunity to transition into coaching at McKean High School in Track & Field where she was a coach for over six years. McKean High School was just the beginning in Jillian’s coaching journey. She also had the opportunity to coach U10 Girl’s Basketball AAU Team and Boy’s U15 AAU team. Besides coaching the PVT team, she also serves as the Head JV coach at Holy Child!​

LJ Young
Head Coach, PVT 2026

Simone Smith
Assistant Coach, PVT 2026


Coach Mike Duan
Head Coach, PVT 2027 & Assistant Coach, PVT 17U
Coach Mike Duan has been involved with basketball throughout his life played basketball for four years in High School. He played AAU from the time he was in Middle School until he graduated from high school. At University of Maryland - College Park, Coach was apart of the intramural Basketball programs and club basketball. After graduating with an Economics degree in Spring 2018, Coach Mike works as an Account Representative in Reston, VA. He is focused on bringing his experience, knowledge, and passion for the game to PV Thunder.


Coach Darren Pagan
Head Coach - PVT 2027 Team
Coach Darren is a fond believer in the importance of athletics for youths. Having grown up in the D.C. area, Darren was attached to sports from a young age, playing basketball and football for the Metropolitan Boys & Girls Club, and soccer with MSI. He would go on to play point guard and outside linebacker at St. Albans School, in addition to coaching 4th grade boys from St. Albans. Darren is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and obtained his Master of Business Administration and Master of Finance from the University of Maryland. Having coached both boys and girls of many ages, Darren embraces the opportunity to help kids relate athletics to academics, realize their potential athletically, and compete at all times. 


Coach Will Trice
Assistant Coach - PVT 2027 Team

Coach Trice has been  coaching adult and youth basketball since 1987.  He began playing basketball at the age of 16 with the Boy's Clubs and various Church league teams in Pittsburgh, Pa.  Will did not play basketball in High School, but chose to participate in Track and Field.  However, he did play one (1) year of basketball at Boyce College (Pennsylvania) as a walk on player and several years on a U.S. Army Battalion Team. He has coached in the Prince George's County Boy's and Girl's Club, Maryland Park and Planning, and various church leagues.  Coach Trice has been named "Coach of the Year" for his Church League and received several awards for his volunteer work in his community as coach, mentor and tutor.  My Basketball Philosophy:  Use basketball as a way to teach Life Lessons through learning patience, fundamentals, teamwork, discipline and self-control. Making players better people and students as well as better basketball players.  He is currently the Assistant Tennis Coach at DuVal High School in Prince George's County.

Coach Jasmine Banks
Assistant Coach - PVT 2027 Team

PG County native, Coach Jasmine Banks grew up loving to play basketball. Her love for the game skyrocketed at the early age of seven while playing against local competition and watching her favorite professional basketball player Dwayne Wade. While attending Charles Herbert Flowers High School she began her basketball career as a Lady Jaguar playing on their JV team. Following the summer of her freshman year she was introduced to The Maryland Beltway Lady Cougars AAU team and started playing for both organizations. The following year while playing as a cougar the team was invited to play at the AAU Girls Basketball Nation Championship Event in Orlando Florida. During her high school career she began instilling the motto P.U.S.H not only on the court but within life and career itself. After high school she began her coaching career as an assistant coach from the tender age of 5 on up to high scholars. Above all, Coach Banks brings fun with an air of order that translates in the game and on the court of life to the young girls of the PV Thunder Basketball team.

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Kayla Sayki
Assistant Coach, PVT 2027
Coach Kayla is a DMV native. She has played basketball since 2nd grade and played two years as the starting point guard at University of Mary Washington. Kayla has a background in refereeing youth basketball as well. When she transferred from UMW to George Mason University she joined the women’s basketball team as a team manager where she was able to learn from the coaching staff. Kayla is grateful for the opportunity to become involved with PV Thunder and eager to get started in establishing a fun atmosphere and developing the basketball stars of tomorrow!


Nora Fairbanks-Lee
Student Coach, PVT 2027

Nora Fairbanks-Lee is a senior at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, where she has played on varsity for the past four years. She has played basketball since 2nd grade and AAU since 4th. She has played on the 17U PV Thunder Team for four years and is planning on continuing to play basketball in college (Commitment coming soon!). Throughout the years, Nora has mentored young girls, coached at basketball clinics/camps,  and has spoken in panels about the importance of youth sports and women in sports. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for the game with future PVT rising stars!


Coach Jade Gibbs
Head Coach - PVT 2028 Team
Coach Jade Gibbs is coming to PVT with an extensive basketball background, including playing on the women's basketball team at Birmingham Southern College (where she was voted Teammate of the Year). In addition to coaching, she is a certified personal trainer.


Helo Mustafa
Assistant Coach, PVT 2028
Coach Helo has been involved in basketball for over 20 years as a player, mentor, and coach. He played varsity basketball in North Dakota and locally at Fairfax High School when he moved to the area his senior year. He continued his passion for the game by coaching youth leagues in Fairfax and McLean and was awarded McLean Coach of the Year by his peers for his positive, can-do attitude. He is co-founder of a consulting firm, M2 Strategy, that was recognized as the #1 Best Workplace in the DC area, due to its employee-focused culture and core values. Helo lives these core values and integrates them into his coaching techniques to motivate players and advance their basketball and leadership skills to help players be the best they can be!


Andy Fairbanks
Assistant Coach, PVT 2029


Mary Margaret Holden
Co-Head Coach, PVT 2029

Coach Mary Margaret, or as the girls call her, Coach M, has now been coaching at PVT for 2 years. Mary Margaret grew up in Charlottesville, Va where she played basketball from elementary school through high school. Mary Margaret then attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC where she studied English, Film and Media Studies, and Studio Art. Mary Margaret now works in D.C. as an event planner at a non profit. While she’s not working or coaching basketball, Mary Margaret likes to hike and spend time with her friends and family.


Coach Sydney Ransom
Head Coach - PVT Exposure High School Teams
Coach Sydney has been involved in basketball and athletics as both a player and coach for 20 years. Originally from New Jersey, Sydney has experience playing both Division I and Division II collegiate basketball and coaching AAU. Sydney has recently graduated with a Masters in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from UDC and hopes to bring her all-around experience as student, athlete, and coach to the PVT organization. Sydney is looking forward to coaching with PVT and wants to use her knowledge of the game to further develop great players so that they not only succeed athletically, but also succeed in life. 


Coach Jonathan Rudd
PVT Coaching Staff

Coach Rudd, a former Howard County native, attended Oakland Mills High (Class of ’94), where he ran track and was part of the indoor and outdoor state championship team under the late Coach Sam Singleton. Coach Rudd began is basketball coaching career with the MD Lady Shooting stars as the assistant coach with Charles Jackson in 2001. In 2008, he became Head coach of MD Lady Shooting Stars and coached with several different organizations until 2014. He currently has several players that are playing/has played at the college level. With his coaching style he brings passion, discipline, and excitement! He is looking forward to coaching the next great women in basketball with PVT!

Coach Erin French
PVT Coaching Staff

​A Montgomery County native, Coach Erin attended Paint Branch High School, where she played field hockey and basketball all four years. Erin also teaches martial arts, when she is not attending PVT practices and games. After high school, she attended D3 school Shenandoah University, where she played on the women's basketball team and was the captain her junior and senior seasons. She brings her love for the game to the PVT team and looks forward to being a positive role model for the girls.

Coach Matt Elmore
PVT Coaching Staff

A graduate from Columbia University (2015), Coach Matt Elmore has been involved with youth basketball since 2008. Matt’s passion for coaching basketball began in high school while volunteering at the Boys’ Club of New York. Through his 2-year involvement with the club’s Independent School Placement Program for local middle school students, Matt organized fundamental clinics and exhibition games to help spur interest in basketball participation. Matt has also been a camp counselor at the University of Maryland Basketball Camp, plus various coaching and training positions at Riverside Hawks Summer Leadership Program, Global Professional Sports, and the Harlem North Central MS / Success Academy charter school network. Having recently moved to the DMV area full time, Matt is very grateful for the opportunity to become involved with PV Thunder and eager to get started in establishing a fun atmosphere and developing the basketball stars of tomorrow!

Coach Becky Silberman
PVT Coaching Staff

Coach Becky Silberman was born and raised in Maryland where she currently resides. She has been involved in basketball as a participant and coach for over 20 years. Becky attended the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, MD from K-12 where she was a member of the varsity basketball team for 4 years. After high school, she went on to play club basketball and intramural basketball at the University of Maryland. Since college, Becky has coached JV basketball and Varsity basketball at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD since 2011, where she is also a teacher. Becky has coached a boys basketball team at the Maccabi games from 2014-2017 where she coached her team to one silver medal and one gold medal and traveled to Missouri, Texas, California, and New Jersey. This past summer Becky coached the Maccabi USA junior girls national basketball team in Israel where her team won a silver medal while competing against teams from all over the world.

Coach Whitney Turner
PVT Coaching Staff

Coach Whitney is a lifelong lover of basketball who grew up in Michigan. She was an AAU All American while in high school, and went on to receive a full scholarship to play at Boston University, serving as team captain senior year. In 2015, Coach Whitney coached the Springport Spartans middle school team to an undefeated season in Springport, MI. She brings an emphasis on fundamentals and love of the game to PV Thunder. Coach Whitney brings her experience and passion for working with youth to help the PV Thunder girls become the best players that they can! Coach Whitney has coached our 2025 team for the past four seasons but will taking a small break until COVID numbers decrease.