Named Mr. Kentucky Basketball in 1970, Robert Brook’s career totaled more than 2200 points. He averaged 16 points a game as a sophomore, 23 points a game as a junior, 27 points a game as a senior and an average of 13 rebounds a game. Robert carried the Madison Purples to KHSAA Sweet Sixteen appearances in 1969 and 1970. Receiving All-State recognition in 1969 and 1970, he also is among the top in KHSAA tournament records; 128 points scored with a total of 52 field goals in the 1970 state tournament.
In his sixteen years of coaching, Coach Ray Vencill had the distinct privilege of taking two different schools to the final game of the KHSAA State Tournament. In 1969 and 1970, his Richmond Madison Purples made the trip with the 1970 team losing in the finals to Male 70-69. With his return back to Elizabethtown, Coach Vencil guided the Panthers to three Sweet Sixteen appearances; 1972, 1975, 1978. His teams won over 300 games, and he was named Kentucky’s Coach of the Year 3 times.
Watch our interviews with Coach Kenneth Tate, Coach Ray Vencill and Robert Brooks below. (videographer: Richard Allen)
