Dan presents the Ravens opening show for the new basketball season, but after the choreographed cheerleaders the boys come rolling in with a public fight between Lucas and Nathan over Haley; then a major flashback... Brooke and Peyton audition would be-cheerleaders; the obvious winner is arrogant, slutty Rachel, who Brooke accidentally indicates when telling Lucas to date another girl. While Dans team plans his mayoral election campaign, Deb deliberately walks in dressed sluttier then a drunk whore. Captain Nathan puts Lucas on the bench for back-talk. Brooke wants to field Haley instead of Rachel. Coach grudgingly introduces Dan and smiling, to everyone's surprise, his late-hour mayoral opponent: Karen Roe! When Dan announces the team, Lucas calling Nathan 'just like' his dad starts their fight, and Brooke attacks Rachel. Coach is livid at the brothers- and makes Lucas co-captain. Rachel sits naked in Lucas's car, and Brooke chews both of them, to his surprise admitting she only wanted to be desired exclusively by proclaiming non-exclusiveness.

After Lucas surprised Chris with Brooke, even her self-confidence isn't enough to remain assured she hasn't really lost the possible love of her life. Chris informs Nathan whom he thought already knew and gets knocked for once more breaking up a relationship for someone he's not even truly in love with. Dan phones the radio station to point out on air his competitor Karen is unmarried and checks on Nathans condition for the new season, but gets the cold shoulder. Tim looks forward to the boys getting tattoos this year. Karen nor cake can cheer up Lucas, who doesn't even feel like basketball anymore; Nathans advice in the locker-room to concentrate on his playing and forgive Brooke for love's sake don't help either. Coach tells the team he'll retire after this season, and expects them, his best team ever, to prove so by results; Lucas stinks worst of all at the first game, which is an utter loss. Haley and Nathan are back on speaking terms. Mouth shows 'mayor' Karen his cell-phone recording of Dan roughing up Nathan and coach throwing him out after the match.

Keith is arrested as suspect for the arson attempt on his brother Dan, but to the mayors anger soon released for lack of proof. The kids are supposed to get counseling about choosing a college, but nearly all have their minds elsewhere. Nathan and Haley make up, but have chosen colleges 3000 miles apart. Brooke believes Rachel deliberately entered her for the New York fashion contest because it's the same day as the cheerleaders' high-day, the Classic. Ellie insists Peyton shouldn't doubt about going to college at all. Mouth has enough of Brookes bitching, so he goes to the game with Rachel. Because Nathan missed political science class now Dan teaches that course, coach benches him, just when the major East Coast talent scout is present; still he gives Lucas the winning tactical tip, which really impresses coach...

It's the weekend of the Coastal Classic, and with Lucas sidelined, Nathan has to step up on the court against an old rival who shows an interest in Haley. Brooke and Mouth plot revenge against Rachel while Dan goes head to head with Nathan's Uncle Cooper. Also, Peyton makes a life-altering decision.

On the night before Nathan and Haleys wedding, Brooke argues with Haley over the wedding dress. Meanwhile, Lucas and Karen return.

Lucas and Brooke, now broken up, clash at a post-game party and Haley realizes that Rachel is plotting to seduce Nathan. Meanwhile, Peyton connects with her half-brother, Rachel reveals that she knows who is pregnant and Skills takes the court with the Ravens basketball team.

Nathan and Haley's financial struggles force Nathan to approach Dan for help. In spite of his heart condition, Lucas decides to rejoin the Ravens, teaming him with Skills. Feeling isolated and alone, Peyton finds comfort from an unlikely source, while Brooke begins dating again, but discovers that her new boyfriend is not all that he seems to be. Mouth receives an unexpected proposal, and an old acquaintance of Dan's, Daunte, shows a sudden interest in Nathan.

Brooke has her hands full with her model for the T.A.R.T. fashion show and a new boyfriend. Rachel makes the cover of "Maxim," causing chaos at Tree Hill High. Meanwhile, Lucas learns of Nathan's dealings with Daunte, and ultimately has to choose between Nathan and his love for basketball. Haley takes on a babysitting job only to find herself in over her head and Peyton's half-brother, Derek, forces her to confront her deepest fears.

Derek convinces Peyton to take a chance with Lucas at the same time that Brooke approaches him about getting back together. Daunte's latest demand leads Nathan to seek help from an unlikely source - Dan. When Rachel learns of a failing grade, she turns to Haley for tutoring. Nathan is named MVP of the Ravens at the annual sports banquet.

As Whitey's last game approaches, the residents of Tree Hill feel the pressure of a looming State Championship. Peyton reveals to Lucas that she has feelings for him. Haley learns the sex of her baby. Nathan and Lucas clash over personal and team goals. Karen shows Deb tough love, while Dan tries to strike a bargain with Daunte.

Following his heart attack, Lucas returns to school, hoping to rekindle his romance with Peyton. Haley learns that Nathan was responsible for her accident. Brooke and Rachel hatch a plan to steal the next calculus exam, while Dan faces murder charges and Deb breaks out of rehab.

Nathan and Haley grow closer in spite of the recent scandal. Brooke wonders if a spark might be rekindled with Chase. Peyton receives a tempting offer that would ultimately take her away from Tree Hill. Mouth reconnects with Gigi, while Lucas tells Karen that Dan is a murderer, setting off an explosive series of events.

Nathan and Haley must parent Jamie in the face of a school bully, while Lucas and Peyton adjust to life as a live-in couple. Brooke finds being a role model not as easy as she expected, and Marvin gets his old job back. Marvin is surprised to find out that his new intern is someone from his past.

Lucas' novel receives unexpected and surprising interest, as does Marvin from his new intern. Jamie grows enamored of Sam and her rebellious facade, while a would-be suitor grows enamored of Brooke. Meanwhile, Haley counsels Nathan as his basketball comeback gains momentum.

Jamie and Haley really worry that Nathan might being injured at Slam Ball, although he scores well and Owen protects him even against the most feared adversaries. Brooke is so stressed out by Sam's misbehavior that Owen's efforts to win her back, exposing himself only to get overexposed cruelly, seem wasted. Lucas agonizes over whether and how to write the key script scene Julian demands, Keith's death. Peyton puts off telling him about her LA affair too long.

Nathan wrestles with his former self as to whether to give up basketball to be a family-man only or pursue his dream, as he encourages Haley to do at a USO concert for Marines. Lucas punches Julian in the face but must reconsidering collaborating on the movie he already sold the rights to. Monogamous virgin Millicent is made absurdly jealous by teaser Gigi.

As Lucas takes a trip to Hollywood to meet his film director, Nathan gets a pro basketball try-out. Peyton struggles with Mia to focus on her follow-up album, while Millicent confronts Marvin about Gigi. Julian approaches a dubious Brooke about designing clothes for his movie, and Haley takes a reluctant Jamie to his school talent show.

Julian offers Brooke tickets to move to L.A. with him and Sam. However, she keeps doubting and whining that she can't uproot Sam, although she's willing. Even Chase warns her not to waste such an opportunity. When Jamie asks about Keith, Nathan and Lucas take him to his auto-shop. Jack braves suspension to make all Haley's class walk out of Brumkin's boring English class. Even a college dorm PJ party can't console love-sick Mouth.