Darryn Peterson, Seth Bagwell lead CVCA to Division II district semifinal win over Padua

CANTON — Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy freshman Darryn Peterson felt comfortable Wednesday night at the Canton Memorial Field House.

For Peterson, it was a homecoming of sorts as he led CVCA to a 72-57 win over Parma Padua in Division II district semifinal.

Peterson scored 23 points Wednesday in his return to Canton, the city in which he was born and raised. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound guard starred at Hartford Middle School in Canton last year before enrolling at CVCA for his freshman year.

"I played in the Field House a couple of times growing up, but not that much recently," said Peterson, who turned 15 on Jan. 17 and now lives in North Canton.

"I love it in there."

More on Darryn Peterson: Top Greater Akron/Canton boys basketball players to watch during the OHSAA tournament

CVCA senior Seth Bagwell scored 21 points and junior Jackson Shelby had 11 points.

CVCA (16-7) advanced to meet either Tallmadge or Cleveland Glenville in a district final at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Field House. The Blue Devils and Tarblooders are set to play in the other district semifinal on Thursday night in Canton.

"I was really pleased with how we played as a team," CVCA coach Matt Futch said. "Obviously, Darryn Peterson is a special talent.

"He is one of the best players in the state and arguably the best player in the area regardless of class. He has a level of leadership in him that I have not seen before. He can do a lot of things on the court. He rebounds at a high level and he continues to see every type of defense — whether it is man, whether it is zone, whether it is box and one, and he gets his teammates involved. It is a pleasure to see."

Senior Akinlana Popoola scored 21 points to pace Padua (15-10). Bruins junior Jesse Hayes, senior Nick Rini and senior Brenden Rees contributed 12, 10 and nine points, respectively.

Peterson scored eight points apiece in the opening two quarters Wednesday as CVCA built its lead. The Royals led 18-11 at the end of the first quarter and 41-27 at halftime.