The Andover Barons captured the first skirmish in Saturday's 'Battle for Bloomfield' with a 59-48 win over cross-district rival the Lahser Knights at the O'rena on the Oakland University campus.

The game featured the final scheduled time both rival schools faced each other with the pending merger to the new Bloomfield Hills High School next fall.

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Of Interest: Lahser Boys Top Andover 48-47 in Battle For Bloomfield

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The Barons climb to 7-3 with the win and Lahser fell to 2-5.

Lahser Athletic Director Avis Najor said the special event generated from the coaching staffs of both schools, who wanted to create a memorable experience.

"It is consistent with the idea of celebrating all that the two schools have created over their years in existence: all of the rivalry and the tradition that has come about from it," he said. "This game is another outstanding example of the collaborative teamwork that provides for these special experiences."

They first checked the availability of the Palace of Auburn Hills, Najor said, but the Detroit Pistons hosted the Utah Jazz.

Regardless of the venue, Andover Athletic Coordinator R. J. Guizzetti, said he expected the games to be close and the fans to be entertained.

"Our student bodies, parents and community members always come out in large numbers to celebrate the last-ever Andover-Lahser games," he told Patch earlier in the week. "It’s an ideal way for our basketball teams to end the rivalry."

These photos were uploaded by Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hills Patch reader Susan Adams. View more on her website. Were you at the game and have photos to share with the community? Post them directly to this story, or in the Pics & Clips Neighborhood Gallery above.