ALMA — The Camden Fairview Lady Cardinals came out strong early, and then had to hold off a late Batesville charge to pull out a 55-48 victory in the first round of the 5A state basketball tournament.

The Lady Cardinals, winners of the Southwest conference and the No. 1 seed from the league, will now play either Monticello or Greenwood Friday at 4 p.m. Batesville, the No. 4 seed from the 5A East, ends its season at 15-12.

The Lady Cardinals (16-11) came out like a ball of fire in their opening game, getting inside baskets from Shimilya “Button” Curtis and Marva Graves,...