The Escambia County High School boys’ basketball team lost its season opener 73-50 to Blount.

Desmond Williams led the team with 16 points and Jarvis Knight added 11 in the loss. Dexter Williams performed well on defense, coach Earlando Courtney said.

“They played hard,” Courtney said of the team. “We didn’t execute very well.”

Courtney said his players didn’t execute well as a team and without as many individual standouts as last year that would be even more important moving forward this season.

“We have a bunch of fingers that together can make a fist,” Courtney said. “It has to be a team effort.”

He said the team would work on its discipline and focus before its next game, on Friday against Williamson in the home opener.

The Lions are a Class 5A opponent and are very athletic, Courtney said. Although, Courtney said ECHS has a size advantage.

The games start at 4:30 p.m. with the junior varsity boys, followed by the varsity girls and then the varsity boys.