After failing in his first varsity basketball game, Lucas decides to quit the team. Meanwhile, Nathan & Peyton's faltering relationship continues to weaken as Peyton tires of Nathan's poor treatment of Lucas. & Keith forces Karen to deal with her resentment towards Dan after she refuses to attend Lucas' games. ...

While Nathan looks for an after-school job to pay his rent, Haley hosts a party at his apartment--but she panics when the situation gets out of control. After jilted Brooke realizes she was not invited to the festivities, she decides to attend the party anyway, along with her new friend, Nicki (recurring guest star EMMANUELLE VAUGIER
- " Smallville").
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Lucas is shocked to learn that Dan once asked Karen for joint custody of him when he was a baby. Meanwhile, Peyton panics after her friend Nicki (recurring guest star EMMANUELLE VAUGIER) kidnaps basketball player Jake's (recurring guest star BRYAN GREENBERG) baby while baby-sitting. ...

Lucas & Nathan bear the brunt of Dan's abuse as he coaches them into the playoffs, pushing both of them to their emotional breaking points. Haley is stunned after Dan threatens her, causing her to reconsider her relationship with Nathan. Meanwhile, Whitey finds out that his medical condition may be more serious than he first expected, & Dan learns a shocking secret from Deb. ...

After a particularly spectacular basketball game, Lucas quickly supplants Nathan as the team's most popular player. Sexy cheerleader Brooke immediately sets her romantic sights on the new star athlete. Frustrated by Lucas' success--and goaded on by Dan--Nathan rallies his teammates & begins a hazing campaign against Lucas, including trashing the outdoor court where Lucas practices. The pranks escalate until Nathan & the guys abduct Lucas & order him to quit the team before something terrible happens to him. But one player, Jake (recurring guest star BRYAN GREENBERG), defies Nathan & supports Lucas. Nathan seeks the ultimate revenge on Lucas by attempting to seduce Lucas' best friend, Haley, persuading her to tutor him & then flirting relentlessly. Haley agrees to help Nathan with his homework only if he will stop harassing Lucas, but even she finds it hard to resist Nathan's charm, & she keeps the entire arrangement secret from Lucas. ...

Lucas asks Keith to play with him in the annual " Father & Son" basketball game & realizes he got the better father figure after Dan publicly humiliates Nathan on the court. Meanwhile, Peyton has a hard time dealing with the anniversary of her mother's death & finds a comforting ally in Whitey. ...

When Whitey ejects Lucas & Nathan from the team bus due to their misconduct on the basketball court, the half-brothers are stranded 30 miles from home. They encounter a carload of punks who threaten them with a gun. Injured during the game, Brooke needs Peyton to drive her home &, in an unlikely turn of events, Peyton asks Haley for help. Meanwhile, Karen & Keith attend a business function, & tempers flare when Nathan's mother, Deb (recurring guest star BARBARA ALYN WOODS), is seated at their table with Dan. ...

The night of Dan & Deb's (recurring guest star BARBARA ALYN WOODS) annual basketball appreciation party spurs old memories & new feelings. Karen makes a new friend, Keith confronts Dan again, & Lucas finally makes his romantic intentions clear to Peyton. Meanwhile, Haley & Nathan grow closer until Brooke spreads a vicious rumor that devastates Haley. ...

Hoping to have fun, Brooke & Peyton attend a college party, but the situation gets bad when one of the guys, Gabe (MIKE ERWIN
-
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After fighting with his father & Haley, Nathan succumbs to the pressure & takes amphetamines to help him play basketball better. However, he isn't prepared for the destruction the drugs do to both his body & his family. Meanwhile, Peyton intends to rekindle her relationship with Lucas, but when she arrives at his house, she witnesses him with Brooke. ...