A high school student’s senior year is full of fun and memories that they can carry with them for a lifetime, especially when you include memories on the sports fields.

The 2025-26 school year is an extra-special year for Warrenton senior Billy Speiser, though, as he gets the chance to finish his time before college by coming home.

Speiser, who grew up and continues to live in Warrenton, spent his first three high school years at Lutheran St. Charles, along with his older sister Jordan, who is now studying and playing collegiate basketball at Kansas State.

Now, though, Speiser is a Warrior and is ending things where they began.

“It’s great being here, and the drive is a lot less,” said Speiser of not having to go to St. Peter's every day. “I’m here with all the guys I grew up playing basketball and football, so it’s fun to be back here senior year. I am (back home).”

Speiser’s homecoming has included its share of athletic highlights.

This fall, he earned an all-GAC North second-team distinction at defensive tackle, where he recorded 19 tackles and a sack.

Now, the 6-foot-4 Speiser is turning his attention to the basketball court, where he’s helping the Warriors.

He works in tandem in the frontcourt with junior Taylor Anderson.

“It’s great having Billly to help me rebound,” Anderson said. “Going through things last year and not having anybody help rebounds puts stress on you. He’s a great guy, on and off the court. A funny guy. You can try joking with him, but he already knows what you’re going to say. It’s been great having him here.”

Not only is Speiser something of a measure of security for his teammate, but Warrenton coach Mark Thomas said he knows that Speiser’s value goes beyond grabbing a basketball or two.

The senior has quickly assumed a leadership role.

“We’re really glad to have him here because he’s really got a (high basketball IQ),” Thomas said. “He’s probably one of the smarter guys on the team. He’s one telling the other guys where they need to be. He uses his size and his strength to help us. It’s really (his mental acumen) that has been important for us.”

Speiser said that, while basketball has given him a bunch of fond memories, it’s just been that – fun.

While basketball has his attention now, Speiser said he wants to make his father, Billy, proud. After all, the older Billy Speiser was a lineman at Warrenton who graduated in 2004 and then played football at Illinois State University.

“It’s been cool, I’ve been able to go to a lot of fun places with my family for my sister for basketball,” Speiser said. “It is a big task to try and follow up what she was able to do in high school. It feels good for me (to succeed in football), making him proud. I’m talking to a few colleges, so I would like this to continue.”

Speiser said he’s been in contact with schools such as Benedictine, Central Methodist, Missouri S&T, Missouri Western, and Greenville about playing football at the next level, just like his father.

For his part, the elder Speiser – Bill, who played as a lineman at Warrenton before graduating in 2004 and, ultimately, at Illinois State University – said that seeing his son come home to Warrenton and excel at the school they shared does come with a sense of pride.

“It’s been a real enjoyable deal for me,” Bill said. “Seeing him come back and practice in the gym and play on the field at the school I went to is special. Bill’s a pup and he’s young. He’s just figuring out how to play football. We’re excited to see where his journey takes him.”

Bill Speiser added that seeing two of his four children excel in sports has been exciting, but that Billy’s younger siblings, Miles, 12, and Naomi, 10, also can do great things. 

Billy Speiser said that while his sister isn’t too far removed from high school basketball and the college recruiting trail, their discussions have been pretty simple and haven’t gotten too heavy into Billy’s hardwood experiences.

He said he’s excited to blaze his own trail with his dad and sister.

Speiser said that while he can learn from their experiences, the one ahead of him on the basketball court and the recruiting trail is one he’s ready to experience for himself.

“I learned a lot from her growing up,” Speiser said. “I haven’t talked (about high school basketball). I’ve talked with her about college and (collegiate) basketball. She’s doing really well, and it’s been a lot of fun watching her.”