Credit to Kylie Ramirez

Senior Addy Jones shoots a free throw against Duchesne High School on December 11.

The Francis Howell North varsity girls basketball team knows exactly what awaits them this season. A conference in class 5, widely referred to as one of the toughest in Missouri. But this team is not one to shy away from the challenge. Fueled by a mix of veteran leadership, fresh talent and a renewed sense of energy.

“There’s more dynamic with different grade levels,” Rampley said. “We have great senior leadership and freshmen coming in that are going to be key players on our team. All grades bring something different but very important to the team.”

Those new faces and returning veterans will be tested each game. Francis Howell North competes in a competitive conference that includes powerhouse programs like Howell Central (0-2), Troy (0-2) and Liberty (1-1). The Knights have dropped several of those matchups in recent years, but the team has goals this season to flip the narrative.

“I’m looking forward to competing more in our conference, specifically Howell Central and Liberty,” Rampley said. “Getting some of those games back that we haven’t won in the past.”

Still, Rampley approached the season with optimism and realism. She knows that this team is ready to work hard, but is aware that every other team is working just the same.

“Our conference is one of the toughest in the state right now,” Rampley said. “I like to stay realistic. I don’t like to go out and say we’re going to win everything, but playing against those teams helps show us what we can do to be better and continue to compete evenly with those teams.”

The Knights’ internal chemistry may be their biggest asset. In a conference where details and cohesion matter, the team’s culture has quickly taken shape. Leadership emerges in different forms. Some loud, some quiet, but all impactful.

“In the locker room, Morgan Smith is very vocal and a fantastic leader,” Rampley said. “Addy Jones out on the court definitely leads the team. But both [captains] assists are equally important.”

Last year, the team’s goal was roughly half wins and half losses against conference opponents. This team is positioned to make an even stronger push this season. Their goal this year is for more than half of the games played to be wins.

“We definitely hold our own against the other teams in our conference,” forward Mason Scott said. “We were kind of 50/50 last year. Central and Troy games are always close, so having those teams to push us helps create goals to beat them.”

For senior Olivia Gietl, the younger talent is not only helping the team on the court but also transforming its sense of community.

“Having a group of freshmen and younger girls on the team is really good,” Gietl said. “It offers a lot of different views on basketball and a lot of different styles when playing. It brings us together as a school in general. We sit together at lunch, and it makes it easier to talk to them.”

Gietl also notes that shifts across the conference may open new opportunities. Many rival teams lost major contributors, while Howell North has gained depth and promising newcomers.

“A lot of schools in our conference lost a lot of key players, and we gained a lot of really good players,” Gietl said. “So the games will still be challenging, but it will definitely be different teams.”