I hate these types of posts 1: just b/c high school in places is more regulated doesn't make it better or worse then all-star, truly a matter of opinion.... 2: I have seen all-star teams that are quite tragic and it upsets me and you can tell that it is not more diffucult then HS cheer, etc.
Your opinion is your opinion re: All-Star being harder, I would agree that 90% of the time, All-Star is more difficult from a financial and time perspective and your program and team lever as there really is never a true break, HOWEVER, I coach HS and we really don't have a break either... tryouts in May, summer practices, weight room and conditioning, football, competition/choreography prep, fall competition (regionals, state level, and local), basketball, competition (nationals and larger local), all sorts of parades, appearences, school functions b/c the girls are ambasadors of the school and represent the school, and then well, once the end of March hits, it will slow down for eh.. 4-6 weeks and then tryouts in May!
Is HS Cheer a sport.. well, it is most definitly a sport if you tumble, stunt, jump and especially compete, but if you are in a state that can compete nationally we would love the label athletic activity to keep it! Is All-Star Cheer a sport, also YES, but the label for all-star doesn't matter.....