Not trying to resurrect this. Great discussion. I am a high school girls coach who coaches AAU. Used to coach local level teams. Now I'm coaching at a more regional to national level of competition. High School program has a strong tradition up to the last years.

This was the first time I've witnessed the recruiting feast at Jr. Nationals, Mike White/Fila, etc....
Our program serves girls in Central and Southwest Virginia. This program is where they are getting their offers from colleges. Not the high schools. We had an upcoming Jr. who is recruited by Big East schools. That doesn't happen out of our high school.

I believe we, high school coaches, are moot to the recruiting process in lower populated area like mine. Club ball gets our girls exposure. I use this organization to grow the girls in my high school program who want to focus on b'ball. Soccer has forced this specialization issue in my area. It's year round. Track and Field is year round. Volleyball is year round, but not as well supported as the others I've mentioned. I don't think it serves high school athletes to specialize before their jr. year, maybe should say senior because of young age of many female hs players.

So, I'm not sure, for areas of the country like mine, that the growth of AAU for girls is a bad thing. I'm inclined to supporting it, but using it for my high school's benefit. We have quality coaching.