Lincoln wins the Eaton Thanksgiving Tournament over Champaign Centennial

[November 28, 2021] - Jake Bivin and Payton Cook named to the all-tournament team

The Lincoln Railers defeated Champaign Centennial 44-30 Saturday night to win the 2021 Lincoln/Eaton Thanksgiving Tournament.

Juniors Jake Bivin and Payton Cook combined to score 38 points in the championship game. Both players were named to the all-tournament team for their outstanding all-around play throughout the entire tournament.

On Saturday night at Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium it would be the Chargers taking a 2-0 lead over Lincoln to start the game. Jake Bivin’s three from the top of the key put the Railers in front 3-2. The Railers fell behind 7-3 before buckets by Payton Cook and Bivin put the guests on the scoreboard back in the lead. Lincoln, wearing their away green uniforms, took an 8-7 lead at the end of the first quarter as Bivin made a nice move from the baseline to duck around his defenders and toss the ball in just off the glass and in for the Railer lead.

Payton Cook tossed in 18 points versus Champaign Centennial.

Lincoln extended the lead to 14-7 in the second quarter on consecutive threes by Bivin and Elijah Pollice. Bivin would keep the Railers in the lead with a drive through the lane to make the score 16-11. The second quarter went by in the blink of an eye and ended with a beautiful buzzer beater by Bivin. The junior was already having an outstanding first half and to top off the first sixteen minutes of play he launched the Hail Mary from half-court as time ticked away and the ball just glided through the net as the buzzer lit up. It was picture perfect and the Railers were on top 19-11 as they trotted to the locker room.

Lincoln managed a double-digit lead over the Chargers early in the third quarter after Cook sank a couple free throws, 21-11 the score. The Chargers played catch up in the third quarter but with Cook pouring in 10 points in the quarter the Railers continued to control the game. After a long three by Aidan Gowin, the Railers were up 26-15. Seconds later it was Bivin on the drive and the dish off to Cook, who finished with the basket in the paint. Cook was quietly dominant in the paint throughout the quarter, whether it was a spin move in the lane or a simple kiss off the glass, the junior was a smooth scoring machine. And when Cook missed, it was Bivin to the rescue. Bivin finished the quarter scoring off the offensive rebound and the Railers held a 34-21 lead over the Chargers.

Jake Bivin led all scorers with 20 points in the win over Champaign Centennial.

The Railers fourth quarter defense held up strong and offensively the story in the final quarter was Bivin and Cook. Both players have certainly shown what they’re capable of this week. The two combined to score 10 points in the fourth quarter and really guided the team to the 44-30 win over Champaign Centennial.

Jake Bivin finished with 20 points and Payton Cook finished with 18 points.

The win improves the Railers to 4-0 on the season.

Lincoln will return to action next weekend at Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium. The Railers host Olympia on Friday night with the Varsity game set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. The Railers host Mattoon on Saturday night with the Varsity game set to tip off at 7 p.m.

Congratulations Railers on your tournament championship!


Scoring

Lincoln 44

Bivin 20
Cook 18
Gowin 3
Pollice 3

Champaign Centennial 30

Warren 7
Hubbard 7
Young 7
Springfield 6
Simmons 3

[Teena Lowery]