I found it odd that several players on the short-handed high school team chose to play for their club (AAU) team rather than their school team that day.
Odd priorities?
That would not be allowed by CIAC rules here in Connecticut. High school age student athletes are only allowed to participate on one organized team in-season (middle school student athletes are not limited by such).
Because of this rule, Connecticut AAU basketball clubs limit their activities (both in-house leagues, and travel tournaments) to spring, summer, and fall.
While not basketball, there are few other sports where Connecticut student athletes choose not to play on their high school teams and choose to participate on in-season club teams - especially for elite athletes in gymnastics, but also tennis, and swimming. And I've heard some rumblings about spring travel baseball.