The Escambia County Blue Devils fell to 8-8 on the year after a 56-31 loss to Selma during the first round of the Wilcox-Central Christmas Classic on Friday.

The Blue Devils failed to score in double figures in any quarter in the loss. They scored eight points in the first, eight in the second, nine in the third and six in the fourth.

“The starters didn’t come out with any energy and I benched them,” ECHS coach Earlando Courtney said. “There are a lot of little things we’re not doing.”

Courtney said the team has been going “back and forth” all season.

“We’ll make mistakes during a game, harp on them in practice, fix them for another game and come out and make them again the next time out,” he said. “It has been one step forward and one step back all year. That’s the reason we’re 8-8.”

Chris Johnson is now out for the year after knee surgery, Courtney said. Johnson now adds to a list of five possible starters that are gone from last year’s Final Four team. Some of those key players graduated or transferred, while others have been injured.

“Desmond Williams has had a great year and Melik McMillan has come on late,” Courtney said.

He said the team would continue to work hard and try to get better with area games looming on the schedule.

The Blue Devils will travel to face area opponent Thomasville on Friday, before hosting Hillcrest-Evergreen on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The freshman basketball team will also host its first and only home game of the year against Murphy at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.