Top-Seeded Skyline held home court Tuesday night in the opening round of the KingCo4A boys basketball tournament, upending eight-seed Ballard 59-36.

Ballard’s “Beaver Dam” defense, used to contain the Spartan’s forward Cory Hutsen, was relatively successful in the first half, holding the KingCo4A Conference’s third-leading scorer (15.9 ppg) to only four first-half points — a season low.

But in doing so, the Beavers couldn’t hold off the other Spartan players, particularly senior wingman, Miles Edwards, who’s energy and intensity was contagious. His 13 first-half points, was also key to the Spartans 33-20 advantage at halftime.

“All season long, if we haven’t had enough intensity starting the game, I’ve tried to come in and give us that,” Edwards said.

He was more humble regarding his game-high 15 points.

“I was in some good situations tonight for scoring opportunities, and was able to take advantage of them,” Edwards said.

Hutsen got some of his scoring mojo back in the second half for the Spartans, with some nifty footwork on drives along the baseline and spin-moves inside, scoring nine second-half points, and 13 for the game.

Skyline’s defense continued its solid and stingy play, allowing only 36 points for the game, but more impressively holding the Beavers to only 16 in the second half. Senior Kyler Korsmo was high-scorer for Ballard with 10.

Skyline squares off against Woodinville in a second-round, conference tournament matchup at 8 p.m. Friday night at Juanita High School.