[1] The organization was created in 1923, after a predecessor organization called the New York State Public High School Association of Basketball Leagues began in 1921 to bring consistency to eligibility rules and to conduct state tournaments.

[2] It consists of 768 member high schools from the state divided into 11 geographic sections.

[3] While as its name suggests the vast majority of its members are public, it does include a number of private and Catholic high schools.

The NYSPHSAA acknowledges 23 sports and holds over 30 championship events throughout 3 seasons: Fall, Winter and Spring.

The section is further divided into leagues based on mostly location but also the size of the school.

The schools in the section compete with each other over the course of three seasons, fall, winter, and spring.