For the first time in 17 years, North St. Paul will be playing in the boys’ basketball state tournament.

Behind sophomore Goodnews Kpegeol’s team-high 23 points, North St. Paul (24-5) defeated Tartan 70-65 in the Class 4A Section 4 championship on Thursday at East Ridge.

The Polars last reached the state tournament in 1999, when they finished third.

“It feels amazing,” Kpegeol said. “We worked hard, we conquered and we did it.”

North St. Paul led 34-32 at the half but allowed Tartan (24-5) to go on a 15-8 run in a span of five minutes in the second half. Sophomore Bryce Phillips led a comeback for North, however, scoring eight points during a 10-2 run to give the Polars a 57-54 lead with 6:15 left to play. North sealed the victory at the free throw line.

“I have a gritty group that really doesn’t take no for an answer whether we’re down or it’s close,” North St. Paul coach Joe Janquart said. “We’re always going to be in the game because we have a never-say-die attitude.”

Junior Jordan Horn led Tartan with a game-high 31 points, which included seven three-pointers.

Sophomore Goodnews Kpegeol scored a team-high 23 points to lead North St. Paul in a 70-65 victory against Tartan to win the Class 4A, Section 4 championship on Thursday.

The victory advances North St. Paul to the state tournament. It will be the program's first state appearance in more than a decade.

Junior Jordan Horn led Tartan with a game-high 31 points, which included seven three-pointers.

Check back later for more on the game.