If you grew up in NC, you were surrounded by basketball. Some of my fondest memories are of spring pick-up games late into the evening, or at least until the park turned the lights off. 

NC has produced some of the greatest players ever, including the actual greatest. Here's what The Athletic wrote in 2022 when it ranked Wilmington native Michael Jordan the GOAT:

"This ranking is not in dispute. It’s a formality, a wave of the hand, a tip of the cap, an admittance of the obvious. The sky is blue. The earth is round. Michael Jordan, No. 1."

As the NCAA tournament cranks up, a few NC players are looking to add their names to the all-timers list. Six NC teams made the tournaments on the men's and women's sides, and here's why all of them have a chance to win a national championship. 

NC State's Saniya Rivers reacts following a basket in the ACC Tournament this month. The Wolfpack women figure to have a good chance to win it all this year. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

There’s a reason they call it March Madness. What comes next is unpredictable. Have fun watching the games this week. I know we will.  

Let's get to the rest of the news: 

Happy Monday, folks. 

No injuries or damage was reported when a 2.0-magnitude quake shook Bryson City Friday. (Shutterstock)

On Friday, locals in Bryson City reported a small earthquake. The quake registered a modest 2.0 to 2.5 on the Richter scale, and no injuries or damage were reported. For comparison, the strongest earthquake ever recorded measured between a 9.4 and 9.6 in 1960 in Chile.

But, interestingly, the NC tremors were one part of a busy week, seismically speaking, according to Weatherboy. It was one of 7 reported on the East Coast in the last week, including quakes reported in Tennessee, New Jersey, New York, and Maine. Like NC, they were all fairly weak.

The most damaging quakes tend to happen on active fault lines, and NC doesn't have any of those, the NC Department of Environmental Quality says. But there's still been plenty of earthquake activity in western NC near the Tennessee border.

This is a good time, however, to brush up on earthquake safety. 

If you're outside during a quake, make sure to move away from any buildings, power lines, street lights, or overpasses. If you're inside, get under a strong table or desk, and hold on. For more earthquake tips, Ready.gov has you covered.

More NC news:

C&P's Alexis Lawson breaks down a confounding vote in Congress to possibly ban TikTok. It could have major ramifications, especially for younger North Carolinians. Click here to watch Alexis explain it. 

You might have seen the news about a potential TikTok ban and thought: Who cares?

You should!

Because even if you're not on the social media platform—which tends to be more popular with younger Americans—federal lawmakers are setting an important precedent by getting involved with how we interact on social media. 

Supporters say it's about national security, and ensuring that the Chinese-owned company isn't handing over our data to the Chinese government. But how will a move like this impact a generation of younger folks who get their news and politics on TikTok?

C&P's Social Media Manager Alexis Lawson filmed a quick explainer on the TikTok bill, which passed the US House last week. Before it becomes law, it will have to be passed by the Senate and signed by President Biden. 

More politics:

This is much, much harder than it looks, folks. (Shutterstock)

True story: When the Harlem Globetrotters began in the 1920s, they didn't launch in Harlem (they were from the south side of Chicago) and they didn't travel the globe (limiting shows to Illinois).

But these basketball wizards truly trot the globe today, and they're bringing their act to NC several times in April.

The team has trips planned for Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Asheville, and more.

What should you expect at a Globetrotters show? Comedy, skits, and, yes, real basketball skills. For tickets and the team's schedule, go here. 

Kindness, make it contagious. (Photo via Afton Pub and Pizza in Concord, NC)

If you're not looking for it, you can forget sometimes how good people can be. Here's one example, as featured in a recent edition of Good News Friday (pssst, that's where we round up all the uplifting news in the state).

Afton Pub and Pizza in Concord recently introduced a new program “Pub it Forward." Here's how it works. 

You donate $20. Someone in need can redeem it for a free meal later. A $6 donation covers any kids' menu item, and Afton Pub will match every donation.

Afton Pub's owner Jared Kolod said on Facebook that if you're hungry and don't have transportation, contact him and they'll find a way to bring the food to you. 

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