Plus, BBQ bracket finals.
 
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🏟️ Let the madness begin

The biggest moments in NCAA Tournament history for local teams

An aerial image of a basketball court with players and fans in the stands.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament tips off Thursday, March 21. The second round begins Saturday, March 23. | Photo by @CLTtoday
Dust off your dancing shoes — For the first time since 2017, both the Gamecock men’s and women’s basketball teams are headed to the NCAA tournament after a historic regular season from both programs.

The Palmetto State is well represented this year with Clemson, Presbyterian, Carolina, and College of Charleston all participating in post season NCAA tournament play. Fill out your brackets.

Looking forward

Up next for Carolina:
  • The No. 1 seed Gamecock Women’s Basketball team will face off against the winner of Presbyterian or Sacred Heart at Colonial Life Arena.
  • The No. 6 seed Gamecock Men’s Basketball team is headed to Pittsburgh where they’ll take on No. 11 seed Oregon Ducks in the Midwest Region region on Thursday. Secure your seats.
Up next for Clemson:
  • After finishing fifth in the ACC, the No. 6 seed Tigers (MBB) will face off against No. 11 New Mexico in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament in Memphis, TN on Friday, March 22. Secure your seats.
Up next for College of Charleston:
  • After clinching the CAA Championship in thrilling fashion, the No. 13 seed Cougars (MBB) will take on No. 4 Alabama in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament in Spokane, WA on March 22. Secure your seats.
Up next for Presbyterian:
  • Presbyterian (WBB) will face off against Sacred Heart for the chance to take on the No. 1 seed Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena.

Looking back

    We’ve collaborated with our friends at GVLtoday and CHStoday to create an interactive timeline highlighting the most memorable NCAA Tournament appearances.

    Rediscover bits of basketball history and reminisce about past tournaments featuring Gamecock legends like Judge Casey Manning and NBA great Alex English.
    Do you remember?
     
    Events
    Monday, March 18
    • Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Monday, March 18-Saturday, March 23 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St., Columbia | $15-$25 | From teen songwriter Carol Kline to chart-topping musical phenom, Carole King, the show takes you on a journey of the renowned musical legend’s career.
    Tuesday, March 19
    • Sew Divine: A Gathering of Crafters | Tuesday, March 19 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Richland Library Southeast, Southeast Social Meeting Lab 1, 7421Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia | Free | Bring your portable craft projects and share some fun with fellow crafters.
    Wednesday, March 20
    • Celebrating Marian McPartland | Wednesday, March 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $18-$23 | Despite her passing a decade ago at the age of 95, Marian’s influence resonates.
    Thursday, March 21
    • Roses & Rosé | Thursday, March 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $100 | Sip into spring with wines paired expertly with Art Blossoms arrangements and nibbles from F2T Productions.
    Friday, March 22
    • Gamecock Baseball vs. Vanderbilt Commodores | Friday, March 22 | 7 p.m. | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $20-$25 | Vanderbilt brings a top ten squad to town to take on the Gamecocks to kick off conference play at home.
    Calendar events here
    Click here to have your event featured.
    Regional

    Development

    See how Columbia is growing with Elevate Midlands’ just-released 2024 report

    Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
    A group of people floats on tubes along the Congaree River with the Gervais Street Bridge pictured in the background.
    Welcome to the Midlands: A region that is workforce-ready, family-friendly, and supportive of startups.
    Ask anyone around here, and they’ll tell you: the Midlands region is buzzing with opportunities.

    How do we know? For the past ten years, the Midlands Business Leadership Group has been tracking how the region stacks up against peer cities. The task force’s goal: To advance Columbia’s competitive edge + showcase the region’s collective spirit of growth and innovation.

    📊 See what’s in store

    If you’re anything like us, seeing how Columbia is growing is pretty exciting — so pardon us as we drum roll the Elevate Midlands 2024 Report (which just released today).

    Peep the annual report to deep dive into the region’s growth, seeing stand-out metrics and how the Midlands has made significant strides in these areas of development:
    • Entrepreneurial and Business Environment
    • Innovative Capacity
    • Industry Clusters
    • Talent
    • Livability
    • Employment Index
    What’s more, this report serves as a roadmap to what’s ahead, like improving talent retention, helping businesses grow, and providing easy access to the region’s greatest assets.
    See the 2024 report
    News Notes
    Sports
    • USC men’s basketball head coach Lamont Paris received a contract extension through the 2029-30 season following a record-tying 26 wins this season. Paris, who was recently named SEC Coach of the Year, is also a finalist to win Naismith National Coach of the Year. (Gamecocks Online)
    Civic
    • Richland County announced a neighborhood improvement project on Sunset Drive, starting Monday, April 1. The project involves installing a five-ft-wide pedestrian sidewalk along a 0.75-mile stretch, improving safety and accessibility. Completion is expected in December, funded by the Transportation Penny program.
    Try This
    • Explore the art of gardening with Riverbanks Zoo’s workshops. Craft a succulent wreath, blend happy hour with pollinator gardening at Plant N Pour, and learn techniques for container gardening. Try these hands-on opportunity for plant enthusiasts to learn from expert horticulturists.
    Cause
    • The Leadership Columbia Class of 2024 announced its partnership with Serve & Connect to improve its new headquarters on Decker Boulevard. This project will add an outdoor basketball court, pavilion, a memorial garden, and more.
    State
    • Joyce Edwards, a standout from Camden and Gamecock women’s basketball signee, is a finalist for the 2023-24 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Averaging 31.3 points and leading Camden to a state championship, Edwards is already a two-time SC Gatorade Player of the Year and a FIBA U19 World Cup gold medalist.
    Giveaway
    • Win two GA Weekend Passes to Bear Shadow music festival nestled in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina’s Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, May 11-12, 2024 ($600+ value). Festival headliners include Black Pumas, JJ Grey & Mofro, and Futurebirds. Enter to win on our Instagram.*
    Listen
    • The Charlotte Hornets are learning how to win with their rebuilt lineup. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Charlotte Hornets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Job
    • We’re hiring a Sales Director to lead our advertising relationships. This executive would oversee a team of sales team members, pitching the most relevant + modern media offering in town while earning a competitive salary with unlimited PTO. If you’d like to be considered or know someone we should, learn more + apply here.
    TEGNA
     
    Eat

    And then there were two

    COLAtoday’s BBQ bracket champion

    COLA-MM-WINNER-Web (1).png
    You voted City Limits Barbeque is the winner of COLAtoday’s BBQ champion. | Graphic by 6AM City.
    Welcome back to our COLAtoday BBQ bracket, where we’re asking you to determine the best BBQ in Columbia.

    After our second round of votes, we’re down to two “teams” left:
    • City Limits BBQ and Little Pigs BBQ | This matchup’s smoking hot. City Limits BBQ, Columbia’s newest trending BBQ spot led by pitmaster and owner Robbie Robinson goes against the longtime Midlands establishment Little Pigs BBQ, known for their full buffet of BBQ options, sides, and desserts.
    Ready to decide who wins our bracket? Cast your vote below.
    Vote on barbe-who should win.
    The Buy
    A new scent from Corridor Candle Co. Collection to treat yourself. It’s the first day of spring and what better way to celebrate the season than a new candle?
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    The Wrap
     
    David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

    Today’s edition by:
    David

    From the editor
    ‘Tis pollen season. Last Wednesday evening at WECO I noticed a slight dusting on our picnic table and by Friday there was a thick yellow coat of it on my car. A little rain like we saw Friday is a welcome sight to keep the pollen under control.
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