After Lucas crowns another good game with the winning point, Nathan switches to plan B, inviting him to a party at his dad's luxurious beach house where he cleverly humiliates him with a truth game and a video of Lucas ma calling Dan her dream husband. After Lucas walks out livid, Haley is stranded, accepts a ride back from Nathan in Peyton's car and accepts to keep tutoring him since failing grades would kill all his and Dan's dreams. On his way back Nathan crashes into Lucas in the car of one of Keith's clients; Nathan thinks he can bluff his way out making Tim his false witness, but there are nasty consequences for both brothers, their girls friends and their parents.

The night of Dan and Deb's annual basketball appreciation party stirs up old wounds and new feelings as Karen makes a new friend, Keith faces off with his younger brother once again and Lucas finally makes his move on Peyton. Also, Haley and Nathan grow closer until Brooke spreads a vicious rumor that leaves Haley devastated.

Tension mounts now the Ravens may get their first ever undefeated season if they win against Cove City, but instead of encouraging his son, Dan barks at Nathan he doesn't go deep enough while ordering him to convince his mother he's not unhappy, thus blaming the poor kid for her punishing him by running Karen's place. He decides to take amphetamines supplied by Tim's brother, which make him so aggressive coach throws him out at training; when he gently tries to take the next step while kissing Haley, she also shows him the door. Brooke gets Lucas to go out as 'reward' for recommending a book she lobes, then makes him drink and- get a real tattoo, to Keith's in loco parentis despair and fury. At the crucial game, Nathan's second pill dose lands him first on the bench and next in hospital. Dan doesn't believe the doctors correct substance diagnosis; he didn't even call Deb, who tells him to leave home for good.

Nathan has moved into his own apartment, away from both parents. To prepare for a match away, Coach orders Lucas to coach Nathan's weakest points, and makes them uneasy roommates; in the evening the boys sneak out but the strip joint Tim 'could get them in' turns out to be queer. Peyton and Sparkle Classic cheer-leading coach Brooke also find themselves bunking together; when Theresa falls sick, Haley is recruited and gets a crash course. Mouth spies the other teams -he demonstrates with more talent then most girls!- so they rework both choreography (Brooke) and music (Peyton); after training Brooke gets the hot pool opened, the boys jump in and coach grills chaperons Karen and Peyton's dad Larry Sawyer, but nobody minds. The new routine rocks, so Brooke wins the choreography prize. In the game Nathan uses the fade-away Lucas proposed and scores the winning point. At the home front manager Keith feels smothered by Dan and his men, and makes a drastic choice.

Although Nathan and Haley are already married, Tim insists on throwing Nathan a post-wedding bachelor party, while Brooke throws Haley a bachelorette party. Meanwhile, Lucas tries to decide whether he should visit Dan in the hospital. Karen decides to go back to school and Nathan gets a job working for Keith at Dan's dealership.

Felix continues to be Brooke's sex-toy. Chris makes Peyton beg for him to perform at the Tric club opening and hands her a 'rider' (list of demands), which inspires Brooke- about non-committal rules for Felix. Dan tells startled Karen he forgave Keith for sleeping with Deb, news to her. Keith asks Jules to the opening, they become exclusive. Coach, in hospital, understands Nathan gives up Highflyers for Haley's sake; seeing the crowd gives her major stage-fright, but when Chris leaves the stage because the teenage crowd won't listen quietly she plays, to applause, then he invites her to collaborate musically. Mouth hoped to get a shot at Brooke, but she commends him as a- sweet little brother, ouch; he accuses Felix, Lucas gets it backward and catches a solid punch, mainly for dating Theresa; Craig throws Felix out, Mouth brings drunk Brooke home, who only wakes up when Felix is beside her.

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.