The 2025-26 school year marks the end of an era at Warrenton High School.

That’s because with it comes the graduation of the final Forrest brother. For nearly a decade, the name Forrest has been synonymous with Warriors basketball, but also with Warrenton athletics in general.

Dru (Class of 2017) paved the way for Deacon (2023) and, finally, Deadrick (2026), as each made their mark on the basketball program and other athletic endeavors.

For Dru, who played basketball and ran track and is now working toward his commercial aviation license, getting the chance to watch his younger brothers follow in his footsteps in high school meant the world to him.

“It’s pretty crazy to watch them grow up as fast as they have,” said Dru, who played basketball and ran track. “Both of them carried different skill sets compared to me, but never left the court without putting it all on the line. As the oldest, it’s one of those things that just makes you extremely proud to see the work they put in behind the scenes translate to their success and learning things they’ll carry for the rest of their lives.”

Even though they graduated years apart, the careers of the three brothers did get the chance to overlap on occasion.

From Deacon and Deadrick competing at the WHS basketball summer camp while their older brother was in school, to the pair playing together in what would be Deacon’s final season of high school basketball while Deadrick was beginning, the chances to work together did exist.

In fact, Deacon’s final year of high school was special, he said, for just that very reason. The middle brother made his mark at Warrenton on the basketball court while also running track and cross country.

Even though those days are in the past, as he’s currently a student at the University of Missouri after playing collegiately at Hannibal-LaGrange University, his final year of high school is something he will always cherish.

“I would say toward the end of my senior year, playing with my brother and watching as my time ended and his started (was my best memory),” Deacon said. “Being able to not only play with your brother, who's a freshman, but (having) him start is not very common. It was the best way to end high school basketball, win or lose.” 

The trio’s mom, Holly Forrest, who, along with her husband, Marcus, had a front-row seat not only to the Warriors’ basketball but also to its and the school’s effect on her family, will forever be grateful to the school, the community and Coach Mark Thomas.

After all, the past decade has been more than just a collection of victories or defeats to her family, she said.

“As a family, we have enjoyed being active for 10 years, full of basketball,” Holly said. “There have been wins and losses, but for all three to watch each other play in the same gym and (Deadrick and Deacon) for one season together has been a blessing. Deadrick has taken all the years of being a gym rat with his brother and had a successful senior season.”

While the family said they, to a member, are deeply indebted to the school, Thomas said that the entire family has contributed plenty to the collective success of his program.

“It was my pleasure to have gotten to be part of each of their basketball journeys,” Thomas said. “On the court, they each were contributors in their own way; all worked hard, were coachable, and had high basketball IQs. Deacon and Deadrick always kept me on my toes after practices and games. More than basketball, I am happy I have gotten to be around and witness their growth as young men.”

Deadrick, who has played basketball, football, track and baseball, earned an all-conference nod in his final season playing for Thomas.

He said that he and his brothers all owe their successes and lessons learned to their parents.

He said that he and his brothers were lifted in every way by their Holly and Marcus Forrest.

“Mom will literally do anything for you, no matter how hard the ask is, and is such a loving person,” Deadrick said. “Dad is one of the wisest people I’ve ever talked to and gives me some of the best information I’ve heard, and I choose to live by that. will always love and appreciate them.”

Both Dru and Deacon agreed with their younger brother.

“Our parents are the spitting image of role models,” Dru said. “Dad is going to be hard on you but completely out of love, picking on the smallest details but only to teach you things you’ll pick up on later in life. But with that, Mom always has the right words of encouragement that we can really achieve anything we put our minds to.” 

“Dad was always there to push us to the next level, which definitely worked and helped all of us to this day,” Deacon agreed. “Even when you felt like it was a lot, he would always let you know he was there for us. My mom has always been the most supportive on and off the court. Seeing her every game with a new shirt or hat. Or her yelling out names mid-game, she would always show her love.”