It took the state champions from each group (see external links) and matched them up against one another, regardless of school size or enrollment status (public or private), to determine the top overall team in New Jersey.
First, a high school needed to qualify for the state playoffs by accumulating a .500 or better win percentage for the season before the cut-off date.
For boys, the tournament was offered in basketball (established in 1989),[1] cross country, lacrosse (since 2004), tennis, and indoor / outdoor track.
For girls, the sports were basketball (since 1989),[2] cross country, field hockey (since 2006), lacrosse (2007), softball (2017), tennis, indoor / outdoor track, and volleyball.
[4] In the second reading on December 8, 2021, the NJSIAA's executive committee voted 33-4 with two abstentions to abolish the T of C.[5] Men's lacrosse programs, players, coaches, and parents across the state vehemently opposed the abolition of the T of C, and upon its abolition ignored NJSIAA's ruling and held their own at the end of the 2022-2023 season called the Kirst Cup.