To gauge the outcome of Trinity’s Class L boys basketball quarterfinal contest with Alvirne, you needed only to close your eyes and listen to the Pioneer faithful.

When Hooksett’s Cormac Fitzpatrick drained back-to-back three-pointers to open the fourth quarter, for example, chants of “Cor-Mac-Daddy” filled the air.

Soon thereafter, a question to Alvirne supporters across the arena: “Why so quiet?”

Near the end of the fourth quarter, a more obvious jab at those fans: “Season’s over.” And finally a statement, loud and clear: “Our house … our house … our house.”

Indeed, the University of New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gymnasium has become a second home of sorts for Trinity players and fans. Last year, specifically, the Pioneers upset two-time defending champ Central before falling in the finale to Salem.

“I think, every time the Trinity fans come up, it’s a big boost,” said coach Dave Keefe. “And the other factor is we were here for three games last season. It was Alvirne’s first game here. They could have easily been us of last year.”

But they weren’t.

Following the 61-51 victory over the Broncos on Sunday, March 9, Keefe’s squad looks to set up a rematch against the winner of Salem vs. Central. First, it must defeat upstart No. 11-seed Spaulding, which beat the No. 6 and No. 3 seeds to reach the semifinals.

The title bout is set for Saturday, March 15, at 3 p.m.

If the Pioneers’ most recent performance is any indication, Keefe said the Class L crown is within reach.

After a 13-13 first quarter, Trinity pulled slightly ahead by halftime, 30-27.

In the third frame, the locals added one point to their lead, but Fitzpatrick garnered six points on two quick possessions to open the fourth, and the tone was set: each time Alvirne approa

Fitzpatrick finished the contest with nine points, all from beyond the arc.

After the game, Keefe joked the 5-foot-10 sophomore had yet to attempt a two-point field goal this season.

“Last time he tried to go inside, he tripped over (the threepoint line) and fell down,” said the coach. “That’s the Twilight Zone for him.”

Keefe admitted, though, Fitzpatrick is a welcome and dangerous weapon this time of year.

“It’s like (head coach) Tim Goodrich of Merrimack said, ‘Those threes are daggers.’ Any time a kid can do that – a sophomore coming off the bench with that kind of confidence – it’s a wonderful boost,” said Keefe. “It’s almost like a slam dunk in the NBA. It gets you going.”

There are few players on the squad with as much confidence or, for that matter, talent as senior Ryan Bourgeois of Bedford.

Though he entered the fourth quarter with seven points, he accumulated a game-high 16 by the final buzzer.

Most came late, on free throws, when Bourgeois shined with his sleek defense and ball control.

“We’ve been together three years, and we’ve come a long way with our coach-player relationship.

We see eye to eye. I coach the way he wants to play, and he loves the way I coach because I get on him,” said Keefe.

“He wanted that ball, and he and Trinity aren’t going down easy.”