Change is hard for everyone to accept unless it is for the better. Kids develop at different levels and at different times. It is a fact that sometimes the better player at 12 is not one of the better players at 18. This can happen for several reasons. Maybe the kid was more phyically mature for his age earlier. Maybe the kid quit working at the game or never learned how to work at the game. Maybe he lost focus or decided that he liked other things more. Some kids have a desire and love of the game at a young age and it only grows stronger. And some dont have it early but develop it as they get older. I could go on and on. You never know who will develop and who wont. The bottom line is things can change in a hurry. Dont get to high and dont get too low.