A new school year at Deering High begins and the basketball season is off to a shaky start, with the departure of last year's starting line-up freshman Michael Maxwell, and seniors Earl Hatfield and Chris Atwater. Mary Beth announces that she has taken the position of team manager from Samantha (who's at college in Chicago), changes Deering's basketball uniforms, and appoints a new lively head cheerleader, Amy. With the addition of newcomers Vince D'Amata and Teddy Brodis (Coach Fuller's godson) to the team, Julie, Danny and Mary Beth try to recruit the talented Josh Sanders, who's sworn off competitive sports.