In the hallowed halls of Rupp Arena, where Kentucky high school basketball dreams are made or broken, Montgomery County senior Cayden Reed etched his name into the 2025 KHSAA Sweet 16 lore. The 6-foot-4 guard, known for his poise under pressure, delivered a tournament performance that showcased his scoring prowess, playmaking savvy, and unshakable nerve, leading the Indians to their deepest state tournament run since 2013.
A Redemption Story Rooted in Resilience
Reed’s path to the Sweet 16 was anything but ordinary. After transferring from Mason County and sitting out until late January 2025 due to KHSAA eligibility rules, Reed faced adversity head-on. His season began with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to clinch the 10th Region championship against George Rogers Clark, a 59-56 thriller that punched Montgomery County’s ticket to Lexington. That moment set the tone for what would become a defining tournament for the senior guard.
“Listening to Coach Mays, really, I mean, he’s the best coach to ever do it, I think,” Reed said before the tournament. “We listen to him, we play hard, we start on defense.” His trust in coach Jason Mays’ system and emphasis on defensive intensity fueled Montgomery County’s underdog mentality as they arrived at Rupp Arena unranked but unafraid.
First Round: Setting the Stage with a Rout
Montgomery County opened the 2025 Sweet 16 against 15th Region champion Lawrence County on March 27. Reed wasted no time asserting himself, contributing 15 points and a staggering 10 assists in a commanding 98-72 victory. His ability to distribute the ball was on full display, setting up teammates like Luke Fawns, who led with 23 points, including five 3-pointers. Reed’s court vision and unselfish play ensured the Indians’ offense hummed, while their defense forced Lawrence County into submission.
The blowout win was a statement: Montgomery County, with Reed as its engine, was a team to watch. “We want to keep as normal of a routine as possible,” Coach Mays said, emphasizing the team’s focus. For Reed, that routine meant staying locked in, ready to lead.
Quarterfinals: A Clutch Masterpiece Against North Laurel
The quarterfinal matchup against North Laurel on March 28 was a classic Sweet 16 showdown, a game that would define Reed’s tournament legacy. Facing off against North Laurel’s sensational junior Reece Davidson, who poured in a jaw-dropping 41 points on 16-of-22 shooting, Reed answered with a performance for the ages. He tallied 29 points, six assists, five steals, and four rebounds, guiding Montgomery County to a thrilling 69-66 victory.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with seven lead changes in the second quarter alone. Davidson gave North Laurel a 34-31 halftime edge, but Reed and Fawns (17 points, five 3-pointers) kept the Indians in striking distance. In the final moments, with North Laurel closing the gap to 67-66 on a Davidson layup with 12 seconds left, Reed stepped to the free-throw line. The senior, who had worked tirelessly on his free-throw shooting after struggling earlier in his career, went 8-for-8 from the stripe for the game, including two clutch makes with 6.5 seconds remaining to secure a 69-66 lead.
Reed wasn’t done. On North Laurel’s final possession, he read the inbounds pass like a seasoned veteran, intercepting the ball to seal the win. “When I was younger, like a freshman and sophomore, I never made them,” Reed said of his free throws. “This summer I took time to shoot free throws a lot—just breathe, stay focused on what’s there and just knock them down.” His composure under pressure propelled Montgomery County to the semifinals, their first appearance at that stage in over a decade.
Semifinals: A Tough End Against a Powerhouse
In the semifinals on March 29, Montgomery County faced Great Crossing, the tournament’s eventual champion and a team led by Mr. Kentucky Basketball Malachi Moreno. Despite a valiant effort, the Indians fell 70-49 in a game where Great Crossing’s size and depth proved overwhelming. Reed still managed 15 points, but the Warhawks’ 37-21 rebounding advantage and 19 second-chance points limited Montgomery County’s opportunities.
Though the loss stung, Reed’s impact wasn’t diminished. His leadership had carried an unranked team to the final four, defying expectations and earning respect statewide. Montgomery County finished the season 24-11, a testament to Reed’s ability to elevate those around him.
A Lasting Legacy
Cayden Reed’s 2025 Sweet 16 performance was more than just numbers—though his averages of roughly 19.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.3 steals per game across the tournament were impressive. It was about moments: the pinpoint passes, the fearless drives, the game-sealing steal. It was about a senior who, after sitting out half the season, seized his chance to shine on Kentucky’s biggest stage.
“Credit first of all goes to North Laurel,” Coach Mays said after the quarterfinal win. “But Cayden, he’s our guy. He steps up when it matters.” Reed’s journey from eligibility battles to Sweet 16 heroics embodied the spirit of Kentucky high school basketball, grit, heart, and a refusal to back down.
As Reed moves on, his 2025 Sweet 16 run will be remembered in Mount Sterling as the time a kid from Bracken County, by way of Mason and Montgomery, became a statewide sensation. For Montgomery County fans, Cayden Reed didn’t just play in the Sweet 16, he made an impact.
