RAPID CITY — Things have come full circle on the basketball court for Jesse Heart.

A legendary South Dakota high school boys basketball player, Heart is the new Marty head boys basketball coach this season. It’s his first season coaching the Braves, and he captured his first coaching win on Dec. 18 against Takini on the first day of the Lakota Nation Invitational. 

Heart’s first coaching victory was recorded at the Barnett Arena, where Heart once dazzled crowds at both the Lakota Nation Invitational and Class A boys basketball tournament in the late 1990s. 

“It’s like the craziest thing because my last game was here on this court,” Heart said. “So to have my first win in front of your people, your family. It’s amazing. Words can’t explain it.”

That fact alone added a layer of nostalgia for Heart, who played at both Pine Ridge and Little Wound in high school. 

“It’s awesome to do it on the court I played on,” Heart added. “I was telling all the boys no matter what you do from here on out it’s always going to come full circle.”

Heart’s full-circle moment came after he landed the Marty position in the offseason. Heart's father was originally from Marty, and when presented with the opportunity, Heart said “I saddled up and moved camp that way.”

Heart's three nephews — Isaiah Heart, Leon Heart and Tayshun Brewer — also transferred to Marty from Little Wound to play for their uncle. The Braves are 1-1 on the young season, and Heart is adjusting to the new coaching position.

“It feels like I am a student again,” Heart said. “Like I am re-learning everything and realizing that patience is the key to everything with these kids. You want them to experience good basketball. So that’s all I am trying to do.”

Heart’s biggest coaching influences were his father Narcisse Heart, along with high school coaches Bill Pourier (Pine Ridge) and Dusty LeBeaux (Little Wound). 

Heart models his coaching style after the trio, saying “those are the ones that pretty much had the inspiration and everything that I am teaching to these kids now.” 

Heart takes bits and pieces from each of his mentors, but also has his own unique coaching style. 

Heart was a showman during his playing days, and coaches with the same flair. 

On Wednesday, he was high-fiving fans, cracking jokes with everyone in sight and constantly encouraging his players. 

“All that knowledge that I was taught, and I guess you could say my hyper activity,” Heart said about his coaching style. “Just encouraging. That’s all it is. I really encourage them every second.”

Heart, who also shined on the Native American basketball circuit with the Plainzmen, still plays competitively when he can and will also practice with his current players. 

That’s when he shows the young Braves flashes of his smooth jumper, leaping ability and flashy play. 

“At first they weren't listening until they knew I could still ball and I put it on them,” Heart, 44, said. “Then they figured it out, ‘We better listen to this guy.’ ”

Heart was an all-state basketball player in 1998 and ‘99. He also played at the Lakota Nation Invitational, but when it wasn’t as big. Currently, the basketball tournament features 24 boys and 24 girls basketball teams playing Wednesday-Saturday.

“It’s really special for me because of the fact that it’s big and it’s huge now,” Heart said. “Back in the day it wasn’t this big. Everyone was battling for one set of jackets. Now everyone gets to have fun with it. Everyone gets to experience the big crowds and the energy.”

Heart is forever remembered for his performance at the 1999 Class A boys basketball tournament in Rapid City, when he pumped in 48 points in an overtime loss against De Smet in the semifinals. 

Heart said to this day people still bring it up to him, and it’s partly why he decided to be a head coach. 

“That’s like the reason why I want to coach in Class B is because I wanted to get a team ready and I wanted to go back and get my win,” Heart joked.