Nashua North's Jayden Montgomery puts a shot up vs. Exeter's Aaron Share and teammates during the Titans' 57-54 Division I quarterfinal win Saturday night in Nashua. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Forget Three Card Monte. The Nashua High School North boys basketball team has enjoyed playing One Ball Monty all season.

As in that’s junior guard Jayden Montgomery’s basketball, and if the other team has it, he’s going to use a very quick slight of hand to take it away.

The Exeter Blue Hawks found that out the hard way in the final 2:26 of Saturday night’s Division I quarterfinal, as three big Montgomery steals, plus six points by Trevor Labrecque in that span produced a 57-54 Titans win. North, No. 2 at 17-3, will now take on No. 3 Goffstown in Wednesday’s semifinals at a site that hasn’t been officially determined. It will be North’s third trip to the semis as a program and second under head coach Steve Lane.

“I just wanted it more,” said Montgomery, who had 20 points to go with Labrecque’s game-high 23. “The last two minutes, I had to play my hardest. Had to fight it through. … It’s just part of my game, got to play hard at all times.”

“We had too many turnovers down the stretch,” Exeter coach Jeff Holmes said. “They’re a really good team with defensive pressure, but when you’re up three. … Montgomery’s a different level athlete, and he’s just so quick, and he sets the tone for them.”

“I nominated Jayden for All-Defensive Team,” Lane said. “He really proved he is an elite defender on the ball, and taking away passing lanes. … It’s not anything you can teach the kid, just tenacious.”

Make no mistake, the Titans were in trouble against the No.7, 13-7 Blue Hawks. Junior guard Ryan Luper (16 points) hit his fourth 3-pointer of the night to put the visitors ahead, 52-49, with 2:26 left.

After the clock whittled down to the final minute, Montgomery made his first steal, drove the lane and hit an easy uncontested layup to bring the Titans within 52-51 with 53 seconds left.

On the Blue Hawks’ next possession, Montgomery’s quick hands didn’t get a clean steal, but forced a jump ball call. Guess which way the possession arrow was pointing? Yep, Titans’ way. So Labrecque hit a jumper with 39 seconds left that gave North the lead for good, 53-52

“I can’t say enough about Trevor Labrecque,” Lane said. “The kid is a gamer. He’s about as good as it gets around here in the state. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves. … He was fantastic. He really stepped up for us tonight.”

After an offensive foul call against the Blue Hawks gave North the ball, Montgomery was a victim in the backcourt of his own game – a steal – until he amazingly grabbed it right back. Labrecque was fouled and hit two free throws for a 55-52 North lead with 21.4 ticks remaining.

“I had to,” Montgomery said. “I gave up the ball, we could have lost the game if I didn’t get it back. I had to come out and get it back and get the win.”

The Blue Hawks next eschewed the 3-pointer and settled for Evan Pafford’s sure layup to close to within 55-54 with eight seconds left. Labrecque came through again two more free throws with 6.6 ticks remaining. Still a chance for Exeter down three, but a pass to an open shooter in the corner took too long and time ran out without the shot.

“We were running a quick high screen and roll,” Holmes said. “I thought we had an opening. I was going to call a time out, but I thought we had an opening to get a good look, but I held back. Sometimes that comes back to bite you.”

No one was able to get real separation all unight, although the Blue Hawks led 14-7 early on. North battled back, trailed 16-15 after one but was up 26-24 at the half and the game was tied at 39 after three.

Aaron Share had 14 points for the ‘Hawks, but North held another Blue Hawk sharpshooter, Johnny Meyer, to just one trey and five points.

“These guys up the intensity on the defensive end, like no other team I’ve ever coached,” Lane said. “And they proved it in the last three minutes of the game tonight. I’m proud of them.”

“I think they see it,” Mongomery said.

And, of course, if not? “They’re going to see it soon,” he added.

Now you see (and have) the basketball, but if Jayden Montgomery’s around, now you don’t.

Welcome to One Ball Monty.