The new year got off to a rocky start for the Statesboro boys basketball team as they dropped a 61-53 decision to Liberty County Friday night at the Devil’s Den. Freddie McSwain led the Panthers with 20 points while Jishaun Harris added 16 and Connor Bailey tossed in 11 more to keep the Devils at bay. Losses are never fun, but this one cut deep for the Devils as the dropped to 9-4 overall and – more importantly – 0-1 in Region 3-AAAA play.