Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Tree Hill’s seniors face their last year at school after the river rescue. Lucas and Brooke’s relationship breaks apart, while Lucas and Peyton grow closer. Peyton’s new half-brother Derek seems to offer support, but he is an impostor who stalks and attacks her; the real Derek helps her fight back, and Peyton and Brooke repair their friendship. Nathan’s secret deal with bookmaker Daunte puts his Duke scholarship and the Ravens’ season at risk, just as Lucas rejoins the team.
Nathan refuses Daunte’s demand to throw the state championship. The Ravens win, but Daunte’s car strikes pregnant Haley outside the arena. Dan intervenes when Nathan goes after Daunte and tells police he is responsible for Daunte’s death. Haley and her baby survive, while Lucas recovers from a heart attack. His doubts about Keith’s death lead him to Abby, the witness who tells him Dan killed Keith. As the truth reaches Karen, Dan’s attempt to rebuild a life with her collapses. Lucas confronts his father while the family is already bracing for Karen’s pregnancy and Haley’s delivery.
Graduation brings those crises into the same day. Karen gives birth to Lily, while Haley goes into labour during her valedictorian speech and delivers James Lucas Scott. Karen survives a dangerous delivery, and Brooke admits she cheated on a calculus exam before she graduates. Dan goes to the police and confesses to killing Keith. Lucas accepts Whitey's offer of an assistant coaching job, and he and Nathan finish senior year together at the River Court.