Friends of Basketball

Roland and Lois Dearing

Year Inducted: 1993

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:

(Petersburg) PORTA High School

Biography:

Roland and Lois Dearing were loyal PORTA basketball fans for 25+ years.  Although the parents of 4 daughters, the Dearins enjoyed watching the boys’ basketball team.  roland’s love for the sport started as a small child and continued through high school where he was a three-year starter.  The Dearings’ close association with PORTA basketball goes back to before the two-class system in Illinois.  Their love of the school’s team was enhanced as they followed all-tournament selection Kevin Washington and his teammates to the 1973 Class A Elite Eight.  

The Dearings followed the teams at home and on the road.  they also enjoyed watching neighboring schools compete in the IHSA regional and sectional games.  For many years, they were a fixture at the IHSA class A state finals.  Even as their children and grandchildren were growing up and participating in sports and activities, they still followed PORTA when time allowed.

Roland Dearing died on December 20, 2018 at the age of 89.

Lois Deiring died on February 18. 2019 at the age of 88.