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100% VOLUNTEER · ALL IN FOR THE KIDS
Meet Our
Coaches
Every single person on this staff is a volunteer. They show up on weeknights and weekends because they genuinely love this game and the kids who play it. Get to know the people behind Valley Suns.
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
The people running the program.
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jeff Arey
Jeff founded Valley Suns in 2022 to develop athletes on and off the court. His vision has grown into one of the Shenandoah Valley’s premier youth basketball programs.
With over 20 years of experience coaching multiple sports at every level, Jeff has earned more than 200 victories with Valley Suns. He leads the JV Boys (the original team that launched the organization in 2022) which has captured multiple state, regional, national and circuit championships, including adidas and Big Shots titles.
Jeff was a multi-sport athlete at Wilson Memorial High School and played college baseball at Virginia Wesleyan College, now Batten University. His background includes many years coaching at the high school level, the middle school level and many more coaching recreational and travel programs across the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.
Jeff is also Wilson Middle School’s head boys basketball coach and a financial advisor with Cornerstone Wealth Advisor Group in Fishersville. He and his wife, Abby, a local elementary school principal, share a deep commitment to serving young people and strengthening their community.
VICE CHAIRMAN · DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Dr. D. Gregory Harris
Dr. Harris is the heart of Valley Suns and helps guide every part of our organization. He and his wife, Leslie, are deeply involved, generously giving their time, energy and support to our players, families and mission.
Greg is a hero in his own right. A longtime administrator and respected leader at Westwood Hills Elementary in Waynesboro, he has devoted his career to serving children and strengthening his community. He also brings many years of coaching experience.
Within Valley Suns, Dr. Harris oversees operations while coaching the 7th Grade Boys and assisting with the JV Boys. He is an amazing leader, coach, mentor and friend and quite simply, Valley Suns would not be what it is without him.
Director of Camps and Player Development
Terrell Mickens
Terrell serves as Valley Suns Director of Camps & Player Development, bringing more than a decade of coaching, teaching and player-development experience to the organization. He is also the head coach of the 4th Grade Boys and an assistant coach with the JV Boys program.
A Health & Physical Education and Driver Education teacher at Staunton High School, Terrell previously served as the school’s varsity boys basketball head coach, earning more than 100 career wins and leading Staunton to a Class 2 State Championship appearance. Before coaching, Terrell was a standout multi-sport athlete who went on to play Division I football at James Madison University.
Terrell’s passion for developing young people goes well beyond basketball. He believes in building character, confidence and accountability while serving as a positive mentor to the athletes he coaches. Terrell and his wife, Nicole, are proud parents, and his commitment to family and young people is at the heart of everything he does.
COACHING STAFF
Our coaches. All volunteer. All in.
VALLEY SUNS
Board of Directors
Leslie Harris
Treasurer
Donya Saunders
Secretary
Jody Sipe
Vice President of Marketing & Media
Kyle Simmons
VP of Fundraising, Sponsorships & Travel
Beth Brafford
Executive Board Representative
Nicole Mickens
VP of Brand Marketing & Engagement
Stephanie Ballew
Vice President of Character & Culture
Monica Snead
Executive Board Representative
100% VOLUNTEER LED
Nobody here
gets a paycheck.
Every coach on this staff volunteers their time. They give up evenings and weekends because they genuinely believe in what Valley Suns is doing for kids in this community.
That is not something you find everywhere. And it is something we are really proud of.
Your logo on team jerseys
Kids wear them all season at games and tournaments
Featured on our website
Your business listed on our dedicated sponsors page
Shoutouts on social media
We recognize our sponsors throughout the season
Every dollar goes to the kids
No salaries. No overhead. Just the program.