A better way to pick all-state teams?

For the past three days we’ve published our all-state teams for boys soccer, baseball and softball. As seems to be the case every year in every sport, some agree with the selections and some don’t. Hopefully, any disagreement doesn’t take away from the honor these young men and women deserve.
However, I admit, that if I were to pick my own all-state teams that they would probably look different. But, I’m only one opinion, just like you have only one opinion. Our teams are the compilations of many opinions from those who are supposed to know the most about the players – the coaches. We send out ballots to each coach in each classification and they can send back their all-state picks. These all-state teams are the players who received the most votes.
For the most part, I think the system works pretty well because most coaches take this task seriously. Unfortunately, it’s not perfect because not all coaches choose to participate. Last year, for example, one six-team region only had two coaches turn in ballots. Other coaches don’t give the ballots much thought and don’t research much exactly which players accomplished what during the season. Some coaches also submit their picks for our team and then submit a different list to the Tribune.
To me, the toughest task of everyone involved – especially those casting the votes – is to really get informed on the players. Even the coaches don’t see all players play. They only see those outside their own regions once or twice.
So here’s my question for prep fans. Is there a better and more accurate way to pick all-state teams? If we’re doing it wrong, how should we be doing it? Or, is our method, even though it does have a few kinks, still the best way to select all-state teams?