Skyline couldn’t keep pace with its fast start Thursday night, eventually falling 53-46 to Newport in a loser-out KingCo 4A playoff game.

The Spartans pounced on the Knights in the first quarter, taking an 18-6 lead.

Newport battled back with a strong second quarter, however, pulling to within 22-19 at the half, eventually taking the lead in the third quarter.

Newport’s Isaac Dotson led all scorers with 18 points.

Senior Kasen Williams led Skyline with 10. Lucas Shannon, Bryan Cikatz and Will Parker all scored eight.

The Spartans ended their season with a 14-10 record. Newport advanced to a winner-to-state game against the WesCo No. 3 team on Tuesday, Feb. 22.