JONESBORO, Ark. (11/5/21) – A new voice will grace the airwaves when the Arkansas State women’s basketball team tips off against Central Baptist College on Tuesday.

Cade Carlton will begin his first season on the mic for the EAB Red Wolves Sports Network, taking over for Keith Merritt, longtime play-by-play broadcaster of A-State Women’s Basketball.

“We’re extremely excited for Cade to move into the play-by-play role for A-State women’s basketball this year,” said Matt Stolz, the play-by-play voice of A-State football, baseball and men’s basketball. “He’s a talented broadcaster that has a very bright future. I’m confident he’ll do a great job and that our fans will enjoy hearing him on our broadcasts”.  

Carlton, a Jonesboro native and 2021 graduate of Arkansas State, is producer for the popular weekday radio show “The Workday Red Zone with Kara Richey” and hosts his own show “The Setup” every weekday afternoon from 2-3 p.m. on 95.3 The Ticket.

“Cade also knows he has some big shoes to fill,” Stolz added. “Keith Merritt has done a fantastic job on the women’s basketball broadcasts for many years and has been a beloved part of Arkansas State Athletics for decades”.   

He served as the voice of the Nettleton High School Raiders for four seasons from 2017-21, calling football as well as boys and girls basketball contests, and is now the play-by-play announcer for Brookland High School Football. Carlton also has experience calling games in First National Bank Arena, including multiple NEA Tournament games, as well as filling in for a visiting team broadcast at A-State in the 2019-20 season.

“I am excited to get started at my alma mater as the voice of Arkansas State Women’s Basketball and see firsthand how Coach Daniel and his staff continue to build this program,” Carlton said.

The 2021-22 season begins on Tuesday, Nov. 9, with A-State hosting Central Baptist College at 11 a.m. Season tickets can be purchased online or by calling 870-972-2401. Fans can hear A-State Women’s Basketball broadcasts all season long on 95.3 and 96.9 The Ticket, KNEA-AM 970 and 104.1 KBRI.