The Spectrum Center will be buzzing with a sea of teal on Tuesday night, and a Burke County outfitter is responsible for the uniform. As the Charlotte Hornets host the Miami Heat in a win-or-go-home NBA Play-in game, over 20,000 fans will be clad in custom "Protect the Hive" t-shirts, all produced right here in North Carolina.

This isn't just any order; it's a celebration of the Hornets' first playoff appearance in a decade. The task fell to Innovative Outfitters in Connelly Springs, where the team had to move with playoff urgency. After receiving the final artwork on Friday, a crew of 38 employees sprang into action following Saturday's regular-season finale, working tirelessly to print the massive shipment.

"Having a team that can flex up and crank out 22,000 shirts in a single day is a testament to how good a job they do," said owner James Causby. For the workers, it's a point of local pride to contribute to the electric atmosphere, even if they can't be in the stands themselves. As the Hornets fight to extend their season, the hive will be protected—one locally-made shirt at a time.