
The New York State High School Boys Basketball Championships are won in the Federation Tournament of Champions, an annual competition conducted by the New York State Federation of Secondary School Athletic Associations (NYSFSSAA). The tournament includes winners from various high school athletic associations across New York, such as the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL). Due to geographic factors, some Catholic and independent schools in upstate New York and Long Island compete in the NYSPHSAA. The championship games typically occur in March, although the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023 tournament was held on a smaller scale. Binghamton, for example, won consecutive state championships in 1985 and 1986, ending a 39-year drought.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Tournament | Federation Tournament of Champions |
| Organizer | New York State Federation of Secondary School Athletic Associations (NYSFSSAA) |
| Participants | Winners of the various high school athletic associations in New York |
| High School Athletic Associations in New York | New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL), Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association (NYSAISAA) |
| Year | Annually in March |
| Past Winners | Binghamton (1985, 1986) |
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What You'll Learn
- The 2023 tournament was held on a smaller scale due to the COVID pandemic
- The tournament was paused after 2023 due to a decrease in interest and to allow athletes an earlier start to their spring seasons
- The original boys' tournament in 1979 was called the Super Sixteen tournament
- The four associations that compete are the NYSPHSAA, PSAL, CHSAA, and NYSAISAA
- The 2024 State Class B championship was won by Marcellus

The 2023 tournament was held on a smaller scale due to the COVID pandemic
The New York State High School Boys Basketball Championships, also known as the Federation Tournament of Champions, returned in 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. However, the tournament was held on a smaller scale compared to previous years, with games taking place at school sites within the Capital District. This decision to downsize the tournament was likely influenced by the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, as well as logistical considerations and health and safety protocols.
The annual tournament is typically conducted by the New York State Federation of Secondary School Athletic Associations (NYSFSSAA) and includes participants from various high school athletic associations across New York State. These associations include the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL), the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), and the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association (NYSAISAA).
In 2023, the tournament was held at school sites, marking a departure from the traditional centralized venues used in previous years. This change in format was a necessary adjustment to ensure the tournament could take place while navigating the complexities of the pandemic. By hosting the games at school sites, organizers were able to minimize travel, reduce the potential for large gatherings, and create a more controlled environment for the participating students and staff.
The COVID pandemic had disrupted many aspects of life, and high school sports were no exception. The three-year hiatus of the tournament led to a decrease in interest from fans and media, as well as a shift in priorities for athletes and schools. Some schools and athletes expressed a desire to start their spring sporting seasons earlier, further contributing to the decision to hold a smaller-scale tournament in 2023.
Despite the challenges, the 2023 tournament marked a step towards normalcy and provided an opportunity for students to showcase their athletic talents and school spirit. The smaller scale of the tournament did not diminish the passion and dedication of the participants, and it served as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability of high school sports in the face of adversity.
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The tournament was paused after 2023 due to a decrease in interest and to allow athletes an earlier start to their spring seasons
The New York State High School Boys Basketball Championships have a long history, with the tournament structure involving various high school athletic associations across the state. The annual tournament includes winners from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL), the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), and the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association (NYSAISAA).
The original tournament, named the Super Sixteen, was first held in 1979, following a 45-year ban on high school basketball state championship tournaments. The four associations competed in four classes based on student body size, labelled AAA, AA, A, and B. The tournament underwent a name change in 2000, becoming the Federation Tournament of Champions, and the class labels were adjusted from 1981 to 2003, with the four classes renamed as A, B, C, and D.
The tournament faced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a three-year hiatus and a scaled-down return in 2023. However, after the 2023 edition, the tournament was indefinitely paused, with schools citing a decline in interest from fans and the media, as well as a desire to provide athletes with an earlier start to their spring sports seasons.
Notable past champions include Binghamton, who won consecutive state championships in 1985 and 1986, ending a 39-year drought.
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The original boys' tournament in 1979 was called the Super Sixteen tournament
The New York State high school basketball championships have a rich history, with the boys' tournament witnessing a 45-year ban on state championship tournaments before its return in 1979. This inaugural tournament after the long hiatus was named the Super Sixteen tournament, marking a significant moment in the state's basketball history.
The Super Sixteen tournament in 1979 was the first step towards reclaiming the glory of high school basketball in New York State. The tournament was approved by the State Education Department in 1978 and was conducted on an experimental basis. The competition featured four associations, namely the NYSPHSAA, PSAL, CHSAA, and NYSAISAA, competing in four classes based primarily on student body size.
These four classes were labelled as AAA, AA, A, and B during the 1979 tournament. The participating associations represented a range of school types, including public schools outside of New York City (NYSPHSAA), public schools within the city (PSAL), Catholic schools in major cities and their surrounding areas (CHSAA), and independent schools (NYSAISAA).
The Super Sixteen tournament laid the foundation for the subsequent Federation Tournament of Champions, which is now held annually and organised by the New York State Federation of Secondary School Athletic Associations (NYSFSSAA). The original tournament in 1979 holds a special place in the annals of New York State high school basketball, as it marked the resurgence of competitive basketball among the state's high school boys' teams.
While the specific winner of the 1979 Super Sixteen tournament is not readily available, the competition's legacy is evident in the continued passion for basketball in New York's high schools. The tournament structure has evolved over the years, with the number of classes changing and the competition moving between locations such as Syracuse, Rochester, Glens Falls, and Albany. Nonetheless, the spirit of the Super Sixteen tournament lives on, and it remains a testament to the dedication of student-athletes and their schools.
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The four associations that compete are the NYSPHSAA, PSAL, CHSAA, and NYSAISAA
The New York State High School Boys Basketball Championships are won in the Federation Tournament of Champions, held annually and organised by the New York State Federation of Secondary School Athletic Associations (NYSFSSAA). The tournament is comprised of four associations, each representing a different set of schools. These are the NYSPHSAA, PSAL, CHSAA, and NYSAISAA.
The NYSPHSAA, or the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, includes public schools outside of New York City, as well as some Catholic and independent schools in upstate New York and Long Island for geographic reasons. Schools in this association qualify for the NYSPHSAA Tournament.
The PSAL, or Public Schools Athletic League, is made up of public schools within New York City.
The CHSAA, or Catholic High School Athletic Association, includes Catholic schools primarily in Buffalo, New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Similar to the NYSPHSAA, some Catholic schools in upstate New York and Long Island compete in the CHSAA for geographic reasons.
Finally, the NYSAISAA, or New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association, represents independent schools.
The original tournament in 1979 was named the Super Sixteen tournament, with the four associations competing in four classes based primarily on student body size. The classes were called AAA, AA, A, and B. From 1981 through 2003, the classes were renamed to A, B, C, and D. Since 2004, the tournament has been held in three classes: AA, A, and B.
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The 2024 State Class B championship was won by Marcellus
The New York State High School Basketball Championship is an annual tournament that resumed in 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The championship games are typically held each March, with the tournament comprising winners of various high school athletic associations across New York. The four main associations are the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL), the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), and the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association (NYSAISAA). These associations compete across different classes, primarily based on student body size.
Over the years, the class categories have evolved, initially featuring four classes (AAA, AA, A, and B) in 1979, then transitioning to A, B, C, and D from 1981 through 2003. Since 2004, the tournament has been held across three classes: AA, A, and B.
In 2024, the State Class B championship was won by Marcellus, who defeated Woodlands to claim the title. This victory marked a turnaround for Marcellus, who had lost the 2024 State Class B championship game in the previous season.
The 2024-25 NY Gatorade Player of the Year honor was bestowed upon Kayden Mingo of Long Island Lutheran, highlighting an outstanding individual performance in New York high school basketball during that period.
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