CEDAR CITY, Utah (June 14, 2026) — On June 12 and 13, a total of 44 adult basketball teams packed several of Cedar City's local courts to compete for gold in the annual Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games tournament. 

Final buzzers sounded and hardware was handed out across five southern Utah gyms, but the overarching story of the weekend wasn't about who medaled. Instead, Adult Basketball at the 2026 Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games served as a premier showcase for how the game of basketball bridges the gap between generations, builds lifelong sisterhoods, and acts as a vital training ground for the future.

For sport coordinator Kristi Barnes, providing this specific competitive outlet is the most rewarding part of the Summer Games.

"I love it because there are not that many opportunities for adults to play in tournaments anymore," Barnes said. "Once they get past high school, it's hard for them to find a whole lot to be active in. Summer Games provides a really great atmosphere. We've got great facilities, and we don't charge spectators to get in, so lots of families can come and support. We still play with a bracket so that [the teams] can play towards something and ultimately play for a medal."

Nowhere was that unique atmosphere more evident than in the Women's Masters division, where a team named MTB once more captured gold and exemplified how basketball can evolve from a game into a lifeline.

Composed of former collegiate athletes who played at institutions like Utah Valley University and Colorado, the group has gathered every Tuesday and Thursday morning in Utah County for the last 20 years to play pickup basketball.

"All of our kids have come here and grown up watching us play basketball," MTB player Koko Brown said. "This is our family; our basketball family."

Teammate Babata Sonnenberg described the roster as a tight-knit community that has stood together through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows over two decades, supporting one another through many major life events.

"It really brings the community together," Sonnenberg said. "There's so much division in the world today. You couldn't put more opposite people together, but we all share the same passion. We're all competitive, work hard, show up for each other. We've had kids pass away, women go through divorce. I get choked up talking about it, but we have someone right now going through stage 4 cancer. We all have stuff going on but we show up for each other and it's amazing."

That culture of connection also brought Weber State University women's basketball legend Japrix Stubbs back to the hardwood this weekend. A 15-year veteran of the Summer Games, Stubbs suited up as a last-minute addition for the team Pretty Awesome in the Women's Competitive division.

"It's really fun to just stay in shape, stay connected with friends, and keep working at your game," Stubbs said. "It's fun, too, to see a lot of family teams enjoying that together."

While veteran players used the tournament to stay tied to their roots, younger athletes utilized the event as a springboard for their future careers.

In the Men's Collegiate division, fans packed into Canyon View High School to catch a glimpse of local standout Drake Allen. After a stellar collegiate career that included stops at Snow College, SUU, UVU, and a recent NCAA tournament run with Utah State University, Allen returned to Cedar City to stay sharp in the highest level of the sport.

"I have a couple NBA workouts, so I'm just trying to stay in shape for those," Allen said. "Hopefully I'll play in the G League, then we'll see about the NBA, and if not, we'll head overseas, but I want to play basketball for as long as I can."

After sharing the court with old friends, including teammate Gaige Savage, Allen offered a piece of advice for the younger generation of players watching from the stands.

"Never give up," Allen said. "If you have a dream, just work at it. I think I'm a pretty big testament of hard work beating talent when talent doesn't work hard. Whatever you can put your mind to, just push yourself to accomplish it."


To close out the weekend, five teams ultimately ran through the competition and secured their gold medals. Stansbury captured the Men's Rec title, Second Place Squad took home the Men's Competitive crown, and the Drake Allen-led Taxers secured the Men's Collegiate championship. On the women's side, the Ruffians won the Women's Competitive division, while MTB successfully defended their legacy with another golden finish in the Women's Masters division.

Up Next

Basketball action at the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games shifts from the veterans to the rising stars as Youth Basketball takes over Cedar City from June 26-27. Teams and individuals interested in registering for the Games can sign up at utahsummergames.org.

Photos by Shania Hopkins: