The Ballard High School girls basketball team has started off the season with four consecutive losses, falling to Garfield Dec. 16.

The 54-27 loss to Garfield was the team's worst of the season, though Garfield is ranked 10th in the state.

Senior Alexandria Lawrence led the Beavers with seven points, and junior Elena DeWeese, the team's leading scorer, had six.

Coach C.J. Sealey said she thought her team was competitive with Garfield through much of the game, it just hit a third-quarter slump.

Part of Ballard's problem during the first four games has been cold shooting and a low field goal percentage, Sealey said.

"Things can be tough when you can't score a few easy baskets," she said.

She said the players are keeping optimistic because the aspects of the game they are struggling with are correctible.

The competition doesn't get any easier for Ballard, as the team heads to Woodinville High School at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 to face the sixth-ranked team in the state.