Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Jah-Tosh Baruti

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Staff Writer

Jah-Tosh Baruti is author of the sports column titled Shmackem. Previously he was sports editor for Talon Marks. Baruti also took home an award for his sports writing at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges’ state conference in 2018.

All content by Jah-Tosh Baruti

A comeback story best seen underwater

Jah-Tosh Baruti and Christopher Martinez May 28, 2019
“Jamal you shouldn’t be able to walk. I don’t know how you walked in here the way you did, I would’ve never assumed anything is wrong with you.”
What About Us?

What About Us?

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelance Writer April 30, 2019

Why is nearly a billion dollars being raised to restore an old building as opposed to helping the people affected by the real tragedies? There have been over 26 attacks on places of worship since 2010,...

Photo credit: Sofia Gallegos

Heed the gospel of LA’s fallen messiah

Jah-Tosh Baruti and Michael Reza April 9, 2019
Nipsey Hussle's positive influence is taken from us too early as a result of black on black violence.

Falcons women’s basketball collects awards heading into postseason

Jah-Tosh Baruti March 1, 2019

After going 9-1 in the South Coast Conference, the Falcons women’s basketball team won a championship share of the division title.Due to a tie, El Camino College also won a piece of the pie, sharing...

Falcons’ basketball teams get mixed results versus El Camino College

Jah-Tosh Baruti February 4, 2019

Cerritos College women’s and men’s basketball teams had complete opposite results in respective games versus El Camino College on Jan. 25. The men’s team won by a whooping 46 points,...

Shmackem: Toxic masculinity’s negative play in sports

Jah-Tosh Baruti January 23, 2019

Since the age of time men have dominated sports with emotionless ferocity, however, this type of toxic masculinity is actually toxic to sports.According to Macmillan Dictionary, toxic masculinity can be...

Freshman center No. 21 Daelyn Bams throwing down the two handed slam over one of the Pasadena City College players. Bams had 13 points and six rebounds in the game against Pasadena City College at Cerritos College on Jan. 18, 2019.

Late lead slips away from Falcons’ men’s basketball in loss to Pasadena City College

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Staff Writer January 20, 2019

Falcons men’s basketball’s 72-68 home loss to Pasadena City College on Friday had a controversial end to it. With the loss the team is now 13-5 and has dropped three of its last four games. The...

Shmackem: LA Clippers are far from a threat in the West

Shmackem: LA Clippers are far from a threat in the West

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer December 5, 2018

Don’t let the NBA standings fool you, the 2018-19 Clippers are not the best team in the Western Conference. The Clippers are like the third best basketball team in LA, behind the Lebron James-led...

Sophomore guard Christian-Alvis Labadie drives the ball to the basket against a Santiago Canyon College defender in the Southern California Regional Final at Cerritos College on March 3, 2018. The 2018-19 Falcons team are 7-1 on the young season, as the  team seeks a consecutive Final Four berth.
Photo courtesy of Daryl Peterson/Cerritos Sports Information

Redeem team: Final Four or ‘failure’ for men’s basketball squad

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer December 5, 2018
“If we don’t get back to the Final Four it’s like a failure to us.”
Shmackem: The resilient LA Rams

Shmackem: The resilient LA Rams

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer November 17, 2018

The Los Angeles Rams returned to its winning ways taking on the Seattle Seahawks, proving the team is still a force to be reckoned with. Sunday’s game versus the Seahawks turned out to be a 36-31...

Sophomore running back No. 3 Rhamondre Stevenson breaking the defense and running the ball in for a touchdown. Stevenson ran for 270 yards in the game against San Diego Mesa College at Cerritos College on Oct. 20, 2018.

Falcons’ Football crowned Homecoming winner

Jah-Tosh Baruti and Keanu Ruffo October 25, 2018

The Falcons got back in the winning column after defeating San Diego Mesa 50-21 in the Homecoming game on Oct. 20. It was the first time the two teams have clashed on the gridiron in 21 years. Cerritos’...

Shmackem: Big payday for NBA prospects

Shmackem: Big payday for NBA prospects

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer October 22, 2018

The NBA’s G League, which is a transition league where players go to develop, will began offering contracts worth up to 125k for top NBA prospects by the summer of 2019. This is a one small step for...

Shmackem: Showtime Lakers are officially back

Shmackem: Showtime Lakers are officially back

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer October 14, 2018

"Showtime is back baby!" As legendary Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn would say, “The game's in the refrigerator, the door's closed, the light's out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard and...

Shmackem: Young King James is up next

Shmackem: Young King James is up next

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer October 9, 2018

LeBron James Jr., who turned 14 years old on Oct. 6 has called next in line for greatness. Nicknamed Bronny, he is the son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who is also known as King James. Embed...

Shmackem: High ceiling for playoff-bound Dodgers

Shmackem: High ceiling for playoff-bound Dodgers

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer October 2, 2018

Although the Los Angeles Dodgers did not rack up 100 wins this year equaling a 66 percent chance to make the World Series—with 92 wins on the season, the team still has a great chance of advancing deep...

Shmackem: Dodgers have too much talent to miss the playoffs

Shmackem: Dodgers have too much talent to miss the playoffs

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer September 29, 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers have endured a battle-tested season, now the team is on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2012 season— Although L.A. has a flare for the dramatics,...

Shmackem: Wait, the Browns actually won

Shmackem: Wait, the Browns actually won

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer September 22, 2018

The Cleveland Browns won a football game for the first time in 635 days on Thursday, but fans shouldn’t get overhyped, after all the team is still the Browns. Last time the Browns won in the NFL...

Shmackem: Jackie Robinson isn’t talked about enough

Shmackem: Jackie Robinson isn’t talked about enough

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer September 18, 2018

When it comes to Civil Rights history, Jackie Robinson isn’t talked about enough in today’s time; most people just know him as the first black baseball player to play in the major league. However,...

SHMACKEM: Nike boycott has racist undertones

SHMACKEM: Nike boycott has racist undertones

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer September 11, 2018

The public outrage that Nike has received for using former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in its ad campaign has been uncalled for, some people actually burned Nike merchandise as a form of protest,...

Shmackem: Kobe come back

Shmackem: Kobe come back

Jah-Tosh Baruti September 1, 2018
Kobe should team up with LeBron and win his sixth ring
Photo credit: Carlos Ruiz

Shmackem: Year of the LA Rams

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelance Writer August 28, 2018

You heard it here first, the Los Angeles Rams will make it to the team’s first Super Bowl appearance since the 1999 season. The Rams did lose in a blowout versus the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 9 in...

Shmackem: Racism in the outfield

Shmackem: Racism in the outfield

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer August 4, 2018

I’m sorry to tell you, but if you’re 18 or in your 20s and make public prejudice statements you should still be penalized even if you become a millionaire MLB player in the future. In fact, by being...

Shmackem: Jerrys rule on NFL protesters is outrageous

Shmackem: ‘Jerry’s rule’ on NFL protesters is outrageous

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Freelancer July 28, 2018

I wish the old snow white Jerry Jones would try and suspend every Dallas Cowboy player that kneels in protest during the national anthem, he wouldn’t have any players to profit off of. Sadly, we may...

Shmackem: Kawhi did it end this way

Shmackem: Kawhi did it end this way

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Production Editor July 21, 2018

This just in: there is no loyalty in the NBA. Kawhi Leonard and DeMar DeRozan were traded for each other on July 18 and neither one of them are happy campers. The Spurs did Leonard dirty all last season....

Shmackem: No pressure for Croatia in 2018 World Cup Final

Shmackem: No pressure for Croatia in 2018 World Cup Final

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Production Editor July 16, 2018

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Final hosted by Russia is taking place on Sunday and will consist of France versus Croatia, in a win or go home match. The pressure to win the World Cup Final is all on France,...

Shmackem: Lakers shouldn’t expect a ring, just because they got The King

Shmackem: Lakers shouldn’t expect a ring, just because they got The King

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Production Editor July 10, 2018

Although Lebron James is widely considered the best basketball player on the planet and has a case for the greatest of all time, his addition to the Los Angeles Lakers is still not enough to dethrone the...

Shmackem: Dodgers road back to World Series won’t come easy

Shmackem: Dodgers road back to World Series won’t come easy

Jah-Tosh Baruti, Production Editor July 2, 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a long road ahead to reach the World Series in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1977-78 season. It has been a tumultuous season for the Dodgers, after reaching...

Shmackem: Who ya got? NBA Draft special

Shmackem: Who ya got? NBA Draft special

Jah-Tosh Baruti June 22, 2018

The NBA Draft is this Thursday, as 60 prospects will see their dream unfold and be selected to an NBA franchise.This is one of the most exciting times in basketball.Players that we’ve seen for the...

Falcons’ men’s basketball player Jason Carter inks with Lindsey Wilson University. His offer includes a two-year scholarship to play ball and an additional year to obtain his masters degree. Photo credit: Malik Smith

Falcon basketball’s Jason Carter inks with four-year university

Malik Smith and Jah-Tosh Baruti May 21, 2018
“I’m truly blessed to have a full scholarship to play basketball.“
Forward Jonathan Guzman signing a national letter of intent to Hope International University. He will be receiving a two-year scholarship to attend the program. Photo credit: Malik Smith

Hope for Jonathan Guzman, after signing with local university

Malik Smith and Jah-Tosh Baruti May 21, 2018

Falcons’ men’s basketball player Jonathon Guzman signed to Hope International University on May 16. He will suit up for the Royals for the next two seasons. Hope is a National Association of...

Talon Marks’ Athletes of the Semester – Spring 2018

Jah-Tosh Baruti May 16, 2018

Men’s basketball Demetrius Thomas Demetrius Thomas averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block per game for the Falcons and lead the team to the Final Four. For his individual...

Photo credit: Carlos Martinez & Carlos Ruiz

Shmackem: The NBA Playoffs have been a wild ride

Jah-Tosh Baruti May 16, 2018

Over the past three seasons, the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers have met in the NBA Finals and that is not going to change this year either.The regular season success of several teams and...

No. 7 D.J. Reed runs the ball down the field in a Cerritos College football game. Reed was drafted to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft. Photo credit: Courtesy of Daryl Peterson

San Francisco 49ers select former Falcon in 2018 NFL Draft

Jah-Tosh Baruti May 14, 2018

The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of former Falcons cornerback D.J. Reed to a four-year rookie scale contract on May 11.He was drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round (No. 143 pick overall)...

Frank Mazzotta, head coach of Cerritos College football, has anounced his retirement. Mazzotta has been head coach for the last 40 years. Photo credit: TM Archives

Falcons’ football coach retires after 40 years

Jah-Tosh Baruti May 10, 2018
“Football has been my life. Cerritos College has been my life.”
Itzel Ballesteros dribbles the ball down the field in a soccer match. She played for the Falcons from 2016-18, Ballesteros signed with Lincoln Memorial University on April 16.

[Photo] Former Falcons soccer star signs with four-year university

May 7, 2018

Itzel Ballesteros dribbles the ball down the field in a soccer match. She played for the Falcons from 2016-18, Ballesteros signed with Lincoln Memorial University on April 16.

The mens and womens tennis teams hold up their respective championship banners. The mens team won their first ever Dual State Championship, while the womens team won their second title in the last three seasons.

Falcons’ men’s and women’s tennis teams make history winning state championships

Jah-Tosh Baruti May 2, 2018

Cerritos College’s men’s and women’s tennis teams made tournament history on April 25, for the first time in the history of the California Community College Athletic Association, a single...

Photo credit: Carlos Ruiz & Carlos Martinez

Shmackem: NBA Playoffs – semifinals shmackin’ predictions

Jah-Tosh Baruti May 2, 2018
The Golden State Warriors with a fully healthy Stephen Curry are virtually unbeatable.
Photo credit: Carlos Martinez & Carlos Ruiz

Shmackem: Paul George coming home to the Los Angeles Lakers?

Jah-Tosh Baruti April 25, 2018
Shmackem: Come on home Paul George

Women’s and men’s tennis team’s end regular season on win streaks

Jah-Tosh Baruti April 18, 2018

Cerritos College’s women’s and men’s tennis team’s enter the playoffs both as No. 1 seeds, after strong regular seasons. The women’s tennis team capped off the 2017-18 regular...

Falcons’ softball struggle to score after second inning in loss

Jah-Tosh Baruti and Malik Smith April 17, 2018

The Cerritos College softball team found it difficult to score after the second inning, leading to an 8-4 loss at home versus Long Beach City College Vikings on April 12. With the loss the Falcons lose...

Shmackem: NBA Playoffs round one shmackin’ predictions

Jah-Tosh Baruti April 14, 2018

The National Basketball Association Playoffs - 2018 kickoff on April 14, as the battle for the Larry O’brien Trophy begins in the first round, between eight teams each in two conferences in a best of...

Shmackem: Westbrook’s gonna Westbrook

Jah-Tosh Baruti April 11, 2018
Now Westbrook does what he wants

Shmackem: Video Games Are Not Real Sports

Jah-Tosh Baruti April 11, 2018

So let's get this settled, once and for all, video games are not sports, I repeat they are not sports--yes I'm talking to you Fortnite-addicted players.Video games should not even be mentioned in the same...

Falcons just keep swimming

Jah-Tosh Baruti April 4, 2018

During the last South Coast Conference dual swimming and diving meet of the season on Friday the Falcons men's and women's team each split their two matches, respectively.So far on the season the women's...

Addressing the modern day lynching of black lives

Jah-Tosh Baruti April 3, 2018
"How many more young black men have to die in the streets, does it have to happen to you, happen to me?"
ASCC Director of Athletics Angel Salcido speaks during an ASCC meeting on March 21. Salcido’s legislation asking for $16,000 for the sports program was approved during this meeting.

Sports granted $16,000

Jah-Tosh Baruti April 2, 2018

“The problem is they keep winning, they keep getting championships, isn’t that what we want?,” said senator Christopher Rodriguez to anyone who weren’t in agreement with giving the sports program...

Cerritos College men’s basketball players and coaching staff eyes toward the future

Jah-Tosh Baruti March 28, 2018

Now that the 2017-18 men’s basketball season has brought to an end, sophomore players share what’s next for them on their basketball journey, freshman players got a taste of what it’s...

Players on both sides race for a loose ball late in the game. The game was very scrappy and physical throughout.

[Photo] Falcons men’s basketball’s title hopes come to an end in Final Four loss against San Francisco City College

March 16, 2018

Players on both sides race for a loose ball late in the game. The game was very scrappy and physical throughout.

Demetrius Thomas (No. 1) gets a dunk in the Falcons’ very first possession. Thomas had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the game.

Falcons make it to Final Four with win against Yuba College—losing a starter to injury

Jah-Tosh Baruti March 12, 2018

The Cerritos College men’s basketball team advance to the top four Community College’s in the state—with an 83-77 win over Yuba College in the CCCAA State Tournament Elite Eight on Friday. However,...

No. 1 Demetrius Thomas puts his opponent No. 5 A.J. Garrity on a poster with a putback throw down. Thomas had 19 points in only 22 minutes.

Falcons men’s basketball ride half time surge all way to the Elite Eight

Jah-Tosh Baruti March 6, 2018

  Cerritos College men’s basketball team advance to the Elite Eight in Ventura, CA, following a 20 point victory on March 3 versus Santiago Canyon College, 95-75. The men's basketball team...

No. 1 Demetrius Thomas, the reigning South Coast Conference Player of the Year, goes hard to the basket. Thomas played 54 minutes in Friday’s game, as he totaled 25 points and 14 rebounds, for an MVP worthy showing.

Falcons win triple overtime thriller as Riley Hamilton hit the game winning three pointer

Jah-Tosh Baruti February 28, 2018

With 1.8 seconds left in the third overtime of the game, sophomore guard Riley Hamilton (No. 4) hit a go-ahead three to lift the Falcons, 76-75, crushing the hearts of Riverside College coaches, players...

No. 21 Jonathan Guzman attempts a close shot. Guzman lead the team with 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Men’s basketball drops final game of the regular season at Long Beach City College

Jah-Tosh Baruti February 24, 2018

Falcons men’s basketball loses a back and forth game at Long Beach City College, 75-69 in the regular season finale.Cerritos College men's basketball team had been on fire, winning 10 straight games--while...

Point guard No. 20 Jesenia and shooting guard No. 24 Serena Rendon, are basketball playing twin sister who are leading the back court.

Twinning in the back court: The superstar twins of Falcons women’s basketball

Jah-Tosh Baruti and Carlos Ruiz February 15, 2018

    Serena Rendon is a freshman shooting guard who started playing for Cerritos College this year, coming from Carson High School. Jesenia Rendon is also a freshman point guard, who likewise...

No. 14 Keshaun Mack leaps for a powerful dunk attempt. Mack finished the game with 14 points and four made threes.

Men’s basketball continues to roll, extending win streak to nine

Jah-Tosh Baruti February 15, 2018

Cerritos College men’s basketball squad remains victorious over its last nine games with an 81-57 win over L.A. Southwest College on Feb. 9.The team is now 8-0 in South Coast Conference matches....

Sophomore guard No. 4 Riley Hamilton went up for the dunk in traffic. The Falcons won the game 84-72.

Men’s basketball acquires eighth win in a row defeating Compton College

Carlos Ruiz and Jah-Tosh Baruti February 12, 2018

The Cerritos College men’s basketball team won its home conference match against Compton College 84-72.In a nail biting first half the Falcons were neck and neck against Compton. Ahead by only two...

No. 15 Freshman Isaiah Tyler was the hero of the game as he stepped up and made two clutch free-throws to win the game. Falcons won 83-87.

Falcons men’s basketball goes down to the wire in 87-83 win vs Long Beach City College

Jah-Tosh Baruti February 7, 2018
No. 15 Freshman guard Isaiah Tyler, was "cool like a yetti, eating frozen spaghetti"
No. 20 Jason Carter makes a crisp no-look pass to his teammate for a score

Men’s basketball fights through adversity, securing their fifth straight win

Jah-Tosh Baruti January 31, 2018
“Y’all that mad? With these 1960 ass trophies”
No. 1 Demetrius Thomas throws down a two-handed dunk. Thomas finished with 24 points, including several fast-break dunks.

Falcons’ Men’s Basketball took their talents to Compton for a win

Jah-Tosh Baruti and Carlos Ruiz January 22, 2018
“If our energy is up there from the jump, I don’t see anyone really beating us.”
Newly hired head coach for the tennis team Qunn Caldaron. He just meet his tennis team on the first week of school.

2018 Tennis season begins with new head coach

Jah-Tosh Baruti January 17, 2018

The Cerritos College 2018 Tennis campaign will start on Jan. 30 on the road at Glendale for the women's team and at home vs Santa Barbara College each at 2 p.m. This season marks newly minted Head Coach...

No. 24 Serena Rendon drives the ball past a Mt. SAC defender. Rendon had a team high 23 points.

Falcons’ lose against Mt. SAC

Jah-Tosh Baruti January 14, 2018

  Cerritos College Women’s basketball lost a close game at home vs. Mt. San Antonio College, the final score was 65-59. Their losing streak now climbs to three games, with Wednesday’s loss. The...

Women’s soccer five year championship streak snapped

Jah-Tosh Baruti December 5, 2017

Falcons women’s soccer club was eliminated from the playoffs on Saturday Nov. 25, by number one seeded Santa Barbara City College. The final score was 0-1.The loss broke the women's soccer team's...

Teach youth that social media doesn’t define appearance

Jah-Tosh Baruti December 5, 2017

Young people are going to great lengths to look like popular celebrities.Their measures include: The application of makeup, excessive working out -- extreme diets, some even take it a step further with...

No. 13 Stephanie Nava, freshman--midfielder, guides the ball as she is hounded by a defender. Falcons won game against Chaffey College 2-1, in a Nov. 21 playoff game. Photo credit: Jah-Tosh Baruti

Pair of first half goals leads women’s soccer past Chaffey

Jah-Tosh Baruti November 28, 2017

The Falcons win their second playoff game of 2017, defeating Chaffey College by a final score of 2-1. They will advance to the third round of the playoffs.Although, the game ended with the same score as...

No. 9 Itzel Balesteros hugs No. 14 Jackie Beristain after Beristain scored a goal to tie the game. Falcons won 2-1. Photo credit: Jah-Tosh Baruti

Women’s soccer refuses to break five-year championship streak

Jah-Tosh Baruti November 25, 2017

With the game clock stopped at two minutes in the second half, the Falcons found themselves down 0-1 with San Diego Mesa in the lead on Saturday, Nov. 18.They scored a goal about 30 seconds before the...

Military admits it failed 25 people in Texas church shooting

Jah-Tosh Baruti November 15, 2017

On a Sunday morning in Sutherland Springs, Texas, people gathered at First Baptist Church to hear the word of the Bible, when a demon by the name of Devin Patrick Kelley entered, heartlessly murdering...

No. 10 Midfielder Luis Garcia works up a sweat in a blowout game against LA Harbor. Photo credit: Jah-Tosh Baruti

Men’s soccer ‘absolutely’ dominates LA Harbor, completing the shut out, 6-0

Jah-Tosh Baruti November 15, 2017

Falcons’ futbol beats LA Harbor 6-0, securing 5 goals in the first half alone, inching themselves closer to an undefeated season.A feat which they have never captured before.Coach Benny Artiaga spoke...

Students share ‘thoughts and emotions’ at Fall 2017 Dance Concert

Jah-Tosh Baruti November 7, 2017

The Cerritos College Dance Department & ASCC put on its recurring Dance Concert for the fall semester for Nov. 2-4.The opening act coined "Soul Guardians" was a repertory [performance of either various...

Men always want sex, right?

Jah-Tosh Baruti October 31, 2017

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, states that "more than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occur in either August, September, October or November."We're in November, so this is the time for...

Spotify links up with Hulu to offer students 2 for 1 deal

Jah-Tosh Baruti October 23, 2017

Students enrolled at eligible institutions can now get Spotify Premium for students and access to Hulu all for $4.99 per month.Spotify Premium for students alone is normally $4.99 per month, so you're...

Twitter-finger Trump goes after NFL and NBA players

Jah-Tosh Baruti October 4, 2017

He strikes again, during a speech in Alabama, "Twitter-finger" Trump called an athlete who protested against the mistreatment of black people in America a "son of a bitch."In the speech Trump went on to...

No. 28 running-back for the Falcons, Querale Hall driving the ball down the field while dodging tackles. Hall was able to get a touchdown for the Falcons on Sept. 23 against Golden West. The Falcons defeated Golden West 36-23. Photo credit: David Jenkins

Falcons rush toward a win against Golden West College

Jah-Tosh Baruti September 30, 2017

Falcons’ Football comes out victorious against Golden West College with a score of 36-23It was a game in which the Falcons’ scored five touchdowns as a team on their way to improving their...

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