SEARSPORT — When athletes don pink for breast cancer awareness, the effect is usually pretty noticeable. Less so on the court at Searsport District High School.

The varsity basketball team wore pink laces and socks in their final regular season game against Islesboro last week. They also wore shoes that were mint green, purple, safety orange, icy blue and a middle gray that had a way of making all the above colors pop. Above the knees, the team looked like any other — white jerseys with navy blue numbers and trim. Down by the floor, the effect was like plumage.

The Vikings traveled to Augusta on Friday night in preparation for a Saturday quarterfinal match against Hyde. Before they left, the Penobscot Bay Pilot caught up with a few of the players and asked them about their shoes.

Troy Reynolds - Junior, guard

Ever since last year, I started to get shoes that weren’t the school colors. The first [of those] were red and white and then I just kind of went from there and I got green shoes and orange shoes, and then I got a green and purple, and then I got these. We feel like we’re a lot different than other teams, so getting odd colors kind of reminds us of that.

What do other teams wear?

Most of them wear team shoes.

[The Vikings’ colors are navy blue and white.]

Are there any rules about what you can wear?

Naw. You can wear whatever shoes you want.

Do you have other basketball shoes?

Yes [multiple pairs]. I just bought a pair last week. I don’t have as much “shoe game,” it’s called, as some guys [do].

Ben Powell - Freshman, forward

They feel really nice on the inside. I feel like I can jump higher.

Did you know that before you bought them?

It’s in the name, [Nike] Hyperdunks.

Is there some kind of technology?

Yeah.

What is it?

I have no idea.

Do you feel like you have springs under your feet?

I feel like I have more cushion on my feet and that they actually make my feet jump higher.

These are legal?

Yeah.

Why did you pick this color?

I just really liked it.

Do you have multiple pairs of shoes?

No. This is the only one.

Jay Burkhard - Senior, power forward

I bought [Adidas] Crazy 8s, an older-style, ‘90s shoe. Kobe Bryant’s original shoe.

Do a lot of guys wear throwback shoes?

In college, they do. I don’t see a lot of guys in high school.

Are bright colored shoes a thing on this team?

I don’t know. Everyone just picks one.

Do you have other pairs?

Just last year’s. That was a Kobe Bryant pair, too.

What do you like about these?

They’re heavy. Lots of lockdown. When you jump up, you land firmly.

Heavy shoes seem like they might not be good for jumping.

They don’t affect your jump all that much and I like the way you come down. I’ve rolled my ankles in a lot of low tops.

Eric Phillips - Junior, guard

They’re LeBrons. 

Does he have different signature models? 

He has a 11.

How many pairs of shoes do you have?

Twelve.

When did you get your first pair of basketball shoes?

When I was 12.

Did you always have 12 pairs?

Pretty much. I’m kind of a shoe guy.

Do you pick certain shoes for certain games.

Whatever’s comfortable. High tops, low tops. I like to have shoes that no else one has.

#6 Searsport (14-5) faces #3 Hyde (14-4) in the Western Class D Quarterfinals, Saturday, Feb. 14 at 8:30 a.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. Watch the game live on pay-per-view, here.

Contact Ethan Andrews at: news@penbaypilot.com.