Adreian Payne’s young friend Lacey Holsworth dies after battle with cancer
By Josh Hill
The young girl that made headlines and brought tears to eyes all over college basketball has died at the age of eight years old. Lacey Holsworth, who became famous when Michigan State forward Adreian Payne began bringing her to basketball games, succumb to the cancer she was battling on Wednesday.
"Lacey Holsworth, an 8-year-old cancer patient known as “Princess Lacey” who forged a bond with the Michigan State basketball team and star forward Adreian Payne, died late Tuesday, the family said.Her father, Matt Holsworth, told The Associated Press that Lacey died at their St. Johns, Mich., home “with her mommy and daddy holding her in their arms.”"
Holsworth developed an extremely special bond with the Spartans basketball team, even helping them cut down the net after winning the Big Ten Championship back in March. She served as an inspiration to the team and her loss is being felt all throughout the campus — especially with her close friend Adreian Payne.
It was almost cinematic, but the relationship between Payne and Holsworth was very real and it has served as one of the most touching sports stories in years. The best part about it was neither side was exploitative about the matter like we sometimes see. There was no ESPN interview, there wasn’t an massive amount of time spent on it during March Madenss coverage; rather the bond that was shared between Payne, Holsworth and the Spartans was special and as private as something involving a college basketball team can be.
Holsworth represents millions of kids across the word who suffer from cancer and her passing is a reminder that not every story has a happy ending. But while the death of 8-year old Lacey Holsworth is a somber and heartbreaking event, she will always be remembered for the happiness she helped spread in the short time she was able to.