interesting anecdote:
DD1 was not always the best player on our team through our 7 years......she was the most consistent, usually top 3-4 BA, that didn't change in big game or game against weak team.....just consistent......but other players at times were 'better'
she went to a different org......was on a very good team, not the best, but I wasn't coaching
of the girls on my last 16u roster, though, 5 went on to college......DD1 had the best first year, and was the best player on her summer team last year (a team of half commits/half girls that had finished freshman year)
her coach and i had a long talk during DD2's recruiting trip......on girls from the northeast vs girls from warm climates, on girls from good regional teams vs national level teams
her take: girls from national teams/warm weather climates are safer......you know what you're getting, they are fr closer to a 'finished product', they've been there/done that.....but their upside, on the average, is not as high
girls from good regional teams/cold weather climates (she used the northeast, because that's where we are)......IF they come into school and get to work, tend to have higher upsides/steeper learning curves, with their ability to balance college life and put the work in being a key factor.......because of that she often looks for coaches kids/team captains because she's found many of them exhibit those qualities that she's looking for to see that big jump when they get to her
It is interesting. Some broad strokes of course, but interesting. I'm not quite getting how colder climate girls balance college life better though.
My DD1 is currently being recruited for Equestrian. They love, love, love that her mom is a horse trainer. Similar story, but magnified. They know it means she does all the extras and just knows horses better than a girl dropped at a barn for her weekly lesson.