(1) The data was compiled by the New York State Sportswriters Association. The NYSSWA Kerr Cup All-Sport Championship is not affiliated with or sanctioned by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

   (2) Only NYSPHSAA schools were considered. The CHSAA, PSAL and AIS schools do not participate in statewide championships in a system that makes integrating their results with the state's largest organization feasible.

   (3) Schools were assigned to classes AA through D based on BEDS numbers. (Single-sex schools BEDS numbers were doubled.) Schools that play up or are assigned to a higher class in one or more sports were assigned to the class that reflects actual BEDS data.

   We used the enrollment cutoffs that correspond with the NYSPHSAA basketball tournament: Class AA, 925-up; Class A, 525-924; Class B, 305-524; Class C, 175-304; Class D, 174-under.

   (4) Points were assigned based upon results from New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship tournaments and meets, with scoring based on the first eight places. Losing tournament semifinalists were ranked as being tied for third; losing quarterfinalists were ranked as tied for fifth. Sports for which team championships were officially awarded were scored on a 15-10-8-6-4-3-2-1 basis.

   Sports in which team championships were not awarded but meaningful team scoring could be compiled (for example, wrestling) were assigned one-third the points value. The rationale behind this included a determination that in most cases coaches would have substantially changed strategy had true team championships been at stake. In track, for instance, many athletes would have been entered in multiple individual events rather than the pentathlon in order to maximize their results.

   Tennis, golf and gymnastics, where the fortunes of a school typically rise and fall with a single state-meet entrant, were not included in the process.

   Outdoor track was the sole exception to the use of NYSPHSAA results. Because of the complex nature of that meet, we began with final Federation results, moving NYSPHSAA members up as necessary to replace non-NYSPHSAA schools.

   (5) Sports in which the championships only reach the level of a regional championship per NYSPHSAA standards (for example, rifle) were not scored. Volleyball became the 15th boys sport to be scored when the NYSPHSAA held its first

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state championship in November 2010.

   Once again, there was been much deliberation over what to do with Long Island's football playoffs. For the first time, champions of the four divisions in Sections 8 and 11 have been awarded points. Losers of the bowl games received 2.5 points (the same as a losing NYSPHSAA tournament quarterfinalist). Winners were awarded seven points, though the points were split evenly between winners from the same class when rated against NYSPHSAA BEDS cutoffs. Thus Freeport (AA), Bellport (AA), Lynbrook (A) and John Glenn (A) earned 3.5 points apiece.

   That's a slight tweak from what we announced last year.

   (6) Consolidated district teams (for example, Pittsford Sutheland and Mendon in girls lacrosse) had their points divided equally among participating schools.

   (7) Section 9 continues to receive a bye into the softball Class D semifinals despite the fact other sections have a play-in just to reach the quarterfinals. Beginning this year, schools receiving a bye into the semifinals at the same time that there is a quarterfinal play-in game required somewhere else in the bracket only received the same point total as a losing quarterfinalist unless they win at least one game.

   As fate would have it, Livingston Manor made it a moot point by winning the 2011 tournament.