East Longmeadow (WGGB) — The East Longmeadow Spartans won their home-opener, Friday night, 70-30 over the Amherst Hurricanes.

They also did something much bigger.

They honored the memory of a young girl, who lost her battle with cancer at just 13 years old.

Brielle Laplante, who was a huge fan of the Spartans Girls Basketball team, was remembered Friday night, with purple balloons, purple shirts, and tattoos bearing the words “Not Afraid”. Brielle passed away on August 26th, after a bout with cancer.

Brielle’s family was in attendance, all wearing purple, themselves. And they were honored with a ceremony before tip-off.

“Not Afraid” was a motto the girls team came up with last season, to help Brielle in her fight.  According to East Longmeadow Athletic Director Frank Paige: “She wasn’t supposed to be afraid because she wasn’t alone in her fight.”

The Spartans open the season 1-0, honoring a very strong little girl in the process.