Never had a kid at CESA, though I do have one who was recruited to play there.
The primary reason he DIDN'T wind up there is geography. The secondary (related) reason? Because CESA's Lowcountry training option was laughably bad. It was essentially co-ed kick-around. Simply not good enough.
The truth is, there is no single best way to get to a "top tier" program. The only requirements are "X" amount of physicality, opportunity, access to high-quality training, and willingness to work/learn. The rest is smoke and mirrors put forward by self-serving club directors and coaches, and parents whose beverage of choice is comes in a smiley-faced pitcher.
