A string of turnovers from the Ballard High School boys basketball team led to a 21-10 first quarter deficit from which it couldn't recover in a 78-70 loss to Lake Washington Jan. 29.

Senior Gary Smith was the Beavers' high-scorer with 19 points. Senior Kyler Korsmo added 16.

The loss dropped Ballard to 4-8 in the conference and 5-11 overall.

With four games remaining, the Beavers are tied with Redmond and Roosevelt for the eighth and final playoff spot.

That makes Ballard's upcoming matchup at Redmond at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 all the more important.