People know athletes for their accomplishments on the court, but premier players are formed before dominating games, shooting lights out or breaking scoring records.

Anna Brecht, a 6-foot senior guard/forward from Lincoln High School, is this week's Athlete of the Week.

It's a cliche to say Brecht just outworks her opponents. In reality, Brecht does far more than just work hard, but the work ethic exhibited to her at a young age helped transform a good player into a great one.

"It's the work ethic that my mom, dad and sister instilled in me," Brecht said. "And then I saw my sister, how that developed for her and where hard work took her, and it really drove me to want and do the same thing."

All that hard work culminated into a career defining moment nearly two weeks ago: Brecht hit a runner off the glass and passed Steph Schueler as the all-time leading scorer in Lincoln High School girl's basketball history.

Now, with each made basket, Brecht continues to add to her scoring record.

You know Brecht for her historic career and knack for scoring at Lincoln, but it's time to recognize the special person behind the talent.

Nobody would fault Brecht if she thought breaking the 31-year old Lincoln scoring record was the crowning achievement of her Patriot basketball career. But she doesn't see it that way.

"That was definitely a highlight, a really exciting and a special moment," Brecht said. "But I think the main highlight from my career [at Lincoln] were those two years playing with my sister. It's something that you really can't explain, playing with my best friend and sister and just getting to look up to someone who you truly love."

Brecht's proven to be a great basketball player and person, so it should come with little surprise that she's taking her talents to the NCAA Division-I level. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay commit is enjoying each second she has left at Lincoln, but she's looking forward to the next chapter of her storied career.

"The coaches are amazing, unlike any other college I visited or talked to," Brecht said. "And then the players--I got to play with them on one visit that I went on--were just great and so welcoming. Their team is so hard working. I've never seen a team like that."

Hard working. Sounds like the perfect fit.

Congratulations to Anna Brecht, this week's Athlete of the Week.

Anna Brecht/Lincoln High School
Anna Brecht/Lincoln High School
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