{"id":210103,"date":"2026-03-08T07:44:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T07:44:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/210103\/"},"modified":"2026-03-08T07:44:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T07:44:26","slug":"boss-mhoon-the-kings-academy-surge-past-oakland-to-reach-norcal-d1-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/210103\/","title":{"rendered":"Boss Mhoon, The King\u2019s Academy surge past Oakland to reach NorCal D1 final"},"content":{"rendered":"

SUNNYVALE \u2014 When The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s<\/a> offense gets going, it doesn\u2019t just score.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It hums.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cut after cut ran with purpose. Passes zipped through open space. Shots dropped in rhythm. On Saturday night, the Knights turned their gym into a clinic on precision basketball.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And when the moment called for a closer, sophomore star Boss Mhoon<\/a> made sure the performance ended with a flourish.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Behind a balanced offensive attack and a dominant fourth quarter from the four-star forward, TKA pulled away late for a 82-59 victory over Oakland High<\/a> in the CIF NorCal Division I semifinals. The Knights outscored the Wildcats 32-17 in the final period, with Mhoon delivering the key stops and shots down the stretch, to punch their ticket to Tuesday\u2019s NorCal championship game at Folsom.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The win also carries extra meaning for a program that has rapidly risen under coach Cameron Bradford, avenging a 2023 NorCal semifinal loss to Oakland and sending TKA to its second consecutive NorCal final.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TheThe King\u2019s Academy head coach Cameron Bradford gestures from the sideline in the second quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game against Oakland High at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis win means everything,\u201d Bradford said. \u201cFour years ago, nobody knew who we were. And now we have made the NorCal finals in back-to-back years. God is good, man, God is good.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mhoon finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three blocks and a steal. Senior Claxton Ladine finished with a game-high 23 points and Nathan Hong had nine on three made 3-pointers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Freshman D-Ari Bruce gave Oakland 15 points and seven rebounds while senior Da\u2019sean Armstrong scored 10 points in his final game as a Wildcat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After both teams went into the second quarter tied at 13, the Knights seemingly couldn\u2019t miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n

TKA outscored Oakland 20-11 behind a barrage of 3-pointers from Nathan Hong, who didn\u2019t come into the game until the 3-minute mark of the second quarter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The senior proceeded to hit three straight 3s to give TKA a 33-24 lead at halftime.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe King’s Academy\u2019s Nathan Hong (25) is congratulated by teammates including Scotty Beamish Jr., (22) left, in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game against Oakland High at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The senior it three straight 3\u2019s to give TKA a 33-24 lead at halftime. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my gosh, Nathan Hong came up big and kept us in it,\u201d Mhoon said. \u201cIf we didn\u2019t have Nate hitting 3s, I don\u2019t know where we would be right now. He changed the momentum of the game by himself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

TKA\u2019s offense continued to dominate in the third quarter as the Knights led by as much as 12, but Oakland hung around into the early stages of the fourth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A layup from Armstrong in the first minute of the period cut the deficit to six as Oakland looked to rally. In their previous game, the Wildcats made a stunning comeback to upset Clovis North and the momentum seemed to be swinging their way as they inched closer to TKA\u2019s lead.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But Mhoon ensured a second Oakland comeback this week would not happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Sunnyvale school proceeded to go on an 8-0 run in which Mhoon scored six points and assisted on the final two. Mhoon locked in on defense, swatting away shots as TKA\u2019s rim protector while coming up with huge rebounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With the buckets flowing, Oakland had no answer. After point guard Xavier Barnett hit two free throws with under two minutes left, the Knights led by 21 points and both coaches cleared their bench.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TheThe King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Xavier Barnett (4) and Oakland High\u2019s (24) vie for a rebound in the first quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was a masterclass performance from one of the most dynamic offenses in the Bay Area.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the first half, we were kind of just playing one-on-one type of ball,\u201d Barnett said. \u201cBut in the fourth quarter we just came together. We played as a team and it showed in the fourth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a brutal end to the season for Oakland (25-8), which upset Archbishop Mitty and Clovis North \u2013 two NorCal powers \u2013 in the first two rounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But the future is bright for the Wildcats, who are slated to return Bruce, the Oakland Athletics League MVP.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just super proud of the team,\u201d Oakland coach Orlando Watkins said. \u201cIt didn\u2019t end the way that we wanted it to, but to get to this point and have a chance to get to a NorCal championship, what else can I say?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

TKA will make the two-hour trek to Folsom on Tuesday after the Bulldogs routed Dougherty Valley 86-61 in their NorCal semifinal game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bradford said he will be in deep prep as the Knights prepare for a tough road challenge.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re a good team,\u201d Bradford said. \u2018They\u2019re well-coached, big and have shooters. We\u2019re going to be on the road, it\u2019ll be going to be a tough game, but I\u2019m excited for the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy bench celebrates their 82-59 NorCal Division 1 semifinal win over Oakland High in the fourth quarter as a shot is made at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Oakland<\/p>\n

Oakland High\u2019s Marcel Macon-Bennett (3) drives to the basket as he\u2019s double teamed by The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) and Claxton Ladine (11) in the second quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy Xavier Barnett, (4) Claxton Ladine (11) and Brayden Hines(13) celebrate their 82-59 NorCal Division 1 semifinal win over Oakland High in the fourth quarter as a shot is made at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Scotty Beamish Jr. (22) puts up a shot past Oakland High\u2019s Te’mond Gamble (4) in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Scotty Beamish Jr. (22) and Victor Yu, 8, celebrate their 82-59 NorCal Division 1 semifinal win against Oakland High at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Oakland<\/p>\n

Oakland High\u2019s D’Ari Bruce (24) is double teamed by The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Nicholas Rubio (14) and Adrian Barnett (0) in the third quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Adrian Barnett (0) celebrates their 82-59 NorCal Division 1 semifinal win over Oakland High at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Boss Mhoon (24) brings the ball downcourt as he\u2019s guarded by Oakland High\u2019s D’Ari Bruce (24) in the first quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Oakland<\/p>\n

Oakland High\u2019s Rohm Neal (20) shoots past The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Claxton Ladine (11) in the second quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Hezekiah Sires (34) brings the ball downcourt as he\u2019s guarded by Oakland High\u2019s (24) in the first quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Oakland<\/p>\n

Oakland High head coach Orlando Watkins gestures from sideline in the first quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game against The King\u2019s Academy at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Oakland<\/p>\n

Oakland High\u2019s Romyn Waugh (23) shoots past The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Claxton Ladine (11) in the second quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Oakland<\/p>\n

Oakland High\u2019s Rohm Neal (20) is guarded by The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Adrian Barnett (0) in the second quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Scotty Beamish Jr. (22) shoots past Oakland High\u2019s Te’mond Gamble (4) in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Oakland<\/p>\n

Oakland High\u2019s Eric Jackson (5) shoots past The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Claxton Ladine (11) in the second quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s fans celebrate in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game against Oakland High at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Oakland<\/p>\n

Oakland High\u2019s Romyn Waugh (23) shoots past The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s Hezekiah Sires (34) in the third quarter of their NorCal Division 1 semifinal game at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 17<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Academy bench celebrates their 82-59 NorCal Division 1 semifinal win over Oakland High in the fourth quarter as a shot is made at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SUNNYVALE \u2014 When The King\u2019s Academy\u2019s offense gets going, it doesn\u2019t just score.\u00a0 It hums.\u00a0 Cut after cut…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":210104,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[389,184,7,392,332,17227,2044,402,181,143,145,144,395,2944,396,397,198,200,127,203],"class_list":{"0":"post-210103","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-oakland","8":"tag-alameda-county","9":"tag-bay-area","10":"tag-california","11":"tag-contra-costa-county","12":"tag-east-bay","13":"tag-high-school-basketball","14":"tag-high-school-sports","15":"tag-inside-sports","16":"tag-latest-headlines","17":"tag-oakland","18":"tag-oakland-headlines","19":"tag-oakland-news","20":"tag-peninsula","21":"tag-photos-and-videos","22":"tag-san-francisco-county","23":"tag-san-mateo-county","24":"tag-santa-clara-county","25":"tag-south-bay","26":"tag-sports","27":"tag-sunnyvale"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210103"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210103\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/210104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}