Bulletin staff report

Rules are rules. So when Bend High tipped off its boys basketball season opener Friday night, it did so with its star player on the bench.

But the host Lava Bears did just fine without Kyle Jurgenson, taking a 29-25 lead into halftime. And when Jurgenson got into the lineup in the second half, the senior wing poured in 15 points to help Bend secure a 57-49 non-conference victory over Klamath Union.

Nick Slanchik also scored 15 points and Matt Sieverson added 11 as the Lava Bears led wire to wire against the Pelicans (0-1) of the Southern Oregon Conference.

Jurgenson, an Intermountain Conference first-team all-star last season, was disciplined Friday for failing to contact coaches after missing a preseason practice.

I was sick, and I just forgot to call,” Jurgenson explained with a smile after the game. I guess it’s a good lesson.”

Don Hayes, the Bears’ head coach, was generally pleased with his team’s performance.

For as many practices as we’ve had together, I thought we looked really good at times tonight,” said Hayes, whose roster includes several key players who were members of Bend High’s state-quarterfinal football team.

We didn’t have the whole team until Monday, so we’ve only had four practices with everyone together.”

Jurgenson made seven of eight free throws en route to his 15 points, and scoring co-leader Slanchik registered the Bears’ only three-point basket.

Sieverson played through foul trouble to grab a team-high 10 rebounds. Ben Ewing dished out five assists for Bend, and Justin Baker was credited with five steals.

Will Sargent, Klamath’s 6-foot-8 senior post, scored a game-high 16 points for the Pelicans.

Bend next hosts Willamette of Eugene on Tuesday.