Goodwin’s impact goes far beyond the 1,500 career points he scored — he’s been the unquestioned leader of the Benton program over the past few years. Time and again, he put the team on his back while still finding ways to bring out the best in his teammates. This season, he averaged more than 22 points per game and led the Cardinals to a 30–2 record, highlighted by a third-place finish at state, including a 40-point performance in an overtime win over Vashon. Now, he turns his attention to the next level, as he’s committed to play at UMKC, joining a strong group of Kansas City-area talent headed to the Roos.

There’s no denying the impact Lincoln Goodwin Lincoln Goodwin 6'4" | SG Benton | 2026 State MO has had — and continues to have — for Benton. He’s the engine that drives everything they do, setting the tone night in and night out.

In the win over Pembroke Hill, Goodwin dropped 40 points and completely took over the game. He was clearly the best player on the floor, and it wasn’t particularly close. His shot-making showed up over and over again, and his range continues to expand. He knocked down multiple deep threes, including a few from well beyond the arc, stretching the defense and forcing them to adjust.

He played with noticeable emotion throughout the night, and instead of letting it distract him, he used it to fuel his aggressiveness. As a driver, he embraced contact and converted tough finishes in traffic. At times, he drew multiple defenders, showing his ability to collapse the defense before kicking the ball out to open teammates.

Goodwin didn’t just score — he controlled the flow of the game and dictated how it was played.

Hands down, the top player of the weekend was Benton’s Lincoln Goodwin Lincoln Goodwin 6'4" | SG Benton | 2026 State MO , who led his team to back-to-back wins over Maryville on Friday night and Mid-Buchanan on Saturday afternoon. Goodwin was impossible to miss on the floor, dominating play on both ends with a combination of skill, athleticism, and commanding leadership.

Both games highlighted just how much he can influence a contest offensively. From the perimeter, his shooting continued to show up, regardless of range or the variety of defenders he faced, while his ability to slash to the rim would also prove vital at times. Off the ball, he exceled as a secondary cutter, finding openings and finishing around the rim — whether with emphatic throwdowns or controlled finesse through contact. In transition, he consistently creates opportunities in the open floor, using his long strides to put defenses in tough situations. Add in his recent uptick in offensive rebounding, and there’s really very little else you could ask of him during this stretch of games.

Much of his aggressiveness rubs off on his teammates, allowing them to play off his energy and passion. Goodwin isn’t just putting up numbers — he’s driving the Benton attack and continuing to raise the bar.

Goodwin is coming off a standout junior season in which he led Benton to a state title game appearance. As the team’s clear offensive catalyst, he delivered a string of impressive performances that fueled Benton’s deep postseason run. He carried that momentum into the summer, where his strong play earned him multiple college offers from programs like Missouri Southern, Rockhurst, William Jewell, and Northwest Missouri State. A crafty and natural scorer, Goodwin is highly effective shooting off the dribble as well as in catch-and-shoot situations. He thrives in one-on-one matchups, using a creative mix of spins, footwork, and pivots to generate clean looks from various spots on the floor. His ability to score in isolation and make tough shots makes him a constant threat. As Benton looks to make another title push this winter, Goodwin will once again be the go-to option. To maximize both his impact and his team’s championship hopes, he’ll need to continue developing as a playmaker and defender — rounding out his game and solidifying his presence on both ends of the court.

Lincoln stood out as arguably the top Missouri prospect at Friday’s Missouri Western Elite Camp. A long, deceptively athletic guard, Goodwin boasts a refined offensive skillset that makes him a tough matchup for any defender. He combines smooth perimeter shooting with a crafty mid-range game, showcasing his ability to score at all three levels. At his best when attacking the rim, Goodwin consistently makes quick decisions and finishes with a strong pull-up jumper and an advanced finishing package around the basket.

The 6’4 2026 guard had a strong showing in front of a lot of coaches in the afternoon game I watched. He was breaking defenders off and getting to the rim with ease. His mid range jumper and turnaround along the baseline were also butter. He also did a good job of keeping his teammates involved in the action.

An athletic 6’4″ guard who led the Cardinals to a berth in the Class 4 state championship game. He is a dynamic three-level scorer who also has the ability to rise up and throw down dunks on anyone at any time. He creates off the dribble and he can also get his offense off the ball with good movement. His statewide coming out party came in the state semifinals when he scored 34 points in a victory over Logan-Rogersville. He averaged 20 points and five rebounds a game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.