I sure did. No way I could have afforded to play "elite" level club sports. I was a 3 sport HS athlete, then played D1 baseball. I was a rather average player, played a few innings here and there. Just happy to be on the team and go to cool parties. The girls really liked it!
We will have agree to disagree. I think there is large gap between HS soccer and elite club soccer. My argument has nothing to do with GDA VS ECNL. The HS thing was used effectively by ECNL to get girls to come over when they went to HS. Early on, ECNL highly discouraged HS play. Once they switched their tune, very effective in getting girls to come their way - and I don't hate them for it.
On the flipside, many talented girls, influenced by college coaches and well intending club coaches, did not play HS. It's my opinion that if your player is in the 1%, then HS is the last place you want them to play. I think you need an off season, it's how you grow physiologically. Of course, not everyone has national team aspirations or power 5 D1 aspirations. And there are plenty of quality players who will play HS and club and still play in college. Do what you and your player feel is right. If HS is kickass, the play on the pitch is good, have at it. It sure is fun. My son loves it and will likely play again this year for his senior year, in spite of what his college coaches are telling him. My DD, we will see. It will be up to her. HS play where I live is marginal at best, with only a few schools that are good - and that's been traditionally because the ECNL girls are located in close proximity zip codes to each other (imagine that).
I get it, HS sports are fun, school spirit, parties, etc. Been there, done that, all I knew. Who knows, if my parents had the money to throw down club ball and private instruction, maybe i could have been Derek Jeter before Derek Jeter. That would have been cool.