(WTVR) – The little girl whose story and smile captured the hearts of millions of college basketball fans this March has died. Eight-year-old Lacey Holsworth, affectionately known as Princess Lacey, passed away after a battle with cancer, according to a post on the missprincesslacey Instagram account.
“Princess Lacey has achieved the ultimate victory. She now dances among angels…. The world is a better place because you were in it,” the post read.
“Just knowing that when I play well it makes her happy, it feels like I’m doing something in a way to help her feel better,” Payne said shortly before the NCAA tournament according to MLive.com.