On a gray winter day, in a February thaw, with dirty remnants of snow and ice lining the roads, Route 3 from Mount Desert Island to Ellsworth flaunts a spark of excitement. The Trojan Girls have been at work.

The utility poles carry their signs, their names one after another: Tracy, Abby, Becca, Amanda and others reflecting the popular names of the day. Not many old-time Marys or Bettys, but there’s an Emma. And surely there must be Nicoles, Jennifers and Briannas somewhere.

Then comes the whiplash to the team: “GO” … “FIGHT” … “WIN.”

And a final cheer, echoing the competitions in the Utah mountains: “Go” … “for the” … “Gold!”

No matter how the players fare on the court, the signs sure do brighten a gray February day.