I think the idea that you can take a group from 10/12U and keep them together through the showcase process is nonsense. Kids change in so many ways as they get older, which is why the attrition rate for 2nd year 14U is substantial. A good friend of mine has one of the best 14U teams anywhere and he had to make cuts and bring on new talent in their 2nd year. You find out at that age some kids are not cut out to play at a high level, or some not at all. My DD had to leave quite a few friends behind on her journey to realize her goals.
I'm not so naive to believe all of them will stay together. I left plenty of friends behind back in my day as I advanced and they did not...
Because of the situation with the Showcase teams the result over the last 2 years is that the regular travel teams get far fewer kids and far less talent coming to tryouts. I've watched 3 pretty good teams in this organization fold in the last 2 years because players went to other organization's showcase teams and then there was not enough talent to even field a team much less a competitive one.
Of the organizations I'm looking at, there are no issues with talent attraction...
This is all very helpful...love the perspective...CP