While watching a high school matchup at Big Cat Fall League, I peeked over at a side court and caught an unknown forward prospect with size, athleticism, mobility, and promising skill that immediately made my eyes light up. Lydia was that exciting new prospect in the gym, and she had her coming-out party on Sunday. Lydia knocked down a straightaway three in game one, contested shots well on the perimeter, contributed mightily as a rebounder, and sprinted the floor well in transition. Game two was even better. Lydia’s hot spot was at the free-throw line. She found the soft spot in the zone, presented a big target with her hands ready, pivoted, and buried multiple jumpers from near the foul line. Lydia motored up the court to give teammates a fast break option and finished a catch-and-finish bucket off two feet. She used good wall-up technique to contest shots in the paint without fouling, picked off a pass from the help side, and moved her feet to stop drives. Lydia kept her eyes up to find open teammates, secured rebounds, and created steals, then pushed the ball up the floor with pace. She accelerated up the floor on a fast break after swiping the ball away and earned a trip to the line. Lydia provided the wildest moment of the day when she had her back to the basket under the rim and wasn’t able to pivot or get a clear scoring angle. Facing away from the basket, she decided to granny-style flip the ball over her head, which magically banked off the backboard and through the net for two points. Lydia hit a clutch free throw to put the team ahead late, and she’s going to be an elite forward prospect in her class.