The Ravens begin basketball practice. New team captain Nathan clashes with Lucas over Haley, and a new cheerleader sets her sights on Lucas. Elsewhere, Dan's mayoral bid takes a surprising turn when an unlikely opponent emerges, Karen.

As the town readies for the Ravens' first basketball game, Lucas worries that his head and heart aren't in it. Nathan accuses Lucas of being the Ravens' weak link. Peyton and Haley mend fences to support Brooke in a time of need. When the mayoral race tightens, Dan resorts to a smear campaign.

As the students meet with the school counselor to plan for the future, Nathan and Haley realize they want to attend different colleges across the country from one another and Brooke discovers Rachel's reasons for submitting her designs to Rogue Vogue. Meanwhile, Ellie and Peyton bond as they finish the benefit album.

Nathan deals with a player who is a rival both on and off the court. Meanwhile, Brooke and Mouth look to get even with Rachel. Dan has a run-in with Cooper; and Peyton comes to a major decision.

Haley argues about her wedding dress with Brooke during the rehearsal dinner. Elsewhere Karen and Lucas arrive back in town.

And Peyton is surprised by what she finds...

Peyton spends more time getting to know her newfound brother, Derek. Meanwhile, Lucas gives up on his love for Brooke and Rachel tries to start a romance with Nathan.

Nathan struggles with money problems and reluctantly asks Dan for help. Elsewhere Brooke learns the new man in her life is also her new English teacher. Peyton gets help from an unexpected source, and Lucas returns to the Ravens just in time to help the team advance in the playoffs for the state championship.

Peyton returns to school, but she breaks down. In the meantime Nathan is cornered into a no-win situation by Daunte. Brooke's fashions are a hit at the local show. And Deb takes drastic action for her addiction.

Derek tells Peyton to give Lucas a chance just as Brooke tries to make up with him. Rachel asks Haley to tutor her when she discovers she is failing a class. And Nathan has more trouble with Daunte.

As the Ravens prepare for the championship, Lucas learns Nathan intends to throw the game and decides on a risky plan to even the odds. Karen insists Deb show up for her son's final game and tries to help her get there. Also Dan makes a last plea with Daunte.

The aftermath of the series of unfortunate events at Tree Hill begins. Lucas returns to his everyday life, following his heart attack, and tries to rekindle his relationship with Peyton. However, things are rougher for Haley when she discovers that Nathan had more involvement in her accident than she could have ever imagined.

As the end of the school year approaches, Peyton considers participating in a music internship in Los Angeles, while Brooke tries to reconnect with Chase through yearbook signatures, and Haley struggles to write her valedictorian speech. Meanwhile, Dan suggests that Lucas get professional help when Karen worries about his obsession with theories about Keith's murder.

Nathan and Haley must team up to help Jamie deal with a school bully. Meanwhile, Lucas and Peyton continue to adjust to life as a live-in couple. Elsewhere, Mouth tries to get his old job back.

Lucas' novel receives interest from a suprising person, as does Mouth as he meets his new intern. Jamie begins to develop a crush on Sam and her rebellious ways, while someone becomes enamored with Brooke. Meanwhile, Haley and Nathan discuss his return to baskeball as his comeback begins to look more like a reality.

Sam teaches Jamie about money. Brooke must decide whether to date Owen again, since he broke her heart the last time. Nathan comes face to face with an old rival. Meanwhile, Lucas' novel forces him to make jeopardizing decisions, and Peyton meets the movie producer, Julian.

Tension arises backstage at Peyton's USO show as Lucas deals with Peyton and Julian's past. While Haley tries to find a way to ease her stage fright, Nathan grapples with a decision that could forever change his career. Meanwhile, Brooke receives a call that could end her relationship with Sam and Millicent confronts Mouth over Gigi.

Brooke is shocked to find out that Samantha is in her room with a boy named Jack. Along with that, Julian asks her to make some clothes for the movie. Peyton tries to get Mia to focus on her follow-up album. Lucas is excited when he travels to Hollywood to meet the director of the movie. Meanwhile, Nathan gets the chance for a pro-basketball try-out. Haley takes Jamie to his school's talent show and Millicent confronts Mouth about Gigi.

While Julian makes Brooke a surprising offer, Lucas takes Nathan and Jamie to an important place from his past. Meanwhile, Peyton prepares for the future; Sam and Jack go up against the principal who fired Haley; and Skills and Mouth go on a road trip to help Mouth forget Millie.