LEWISTON – It’s been quite a season already for former Bangor and Winslow High School star basketball player Zak Ray, but he’s hoping it gets even better.

The senior point guard became Bates College’s all-time career steals leader early in the season and then scored the 1,000th point of his college career last week. This week, he became Bates’ career assists leader by passing the 500 mark.

“It’s nice to get the personal accomplishment, but there’s a bigger picture here,” Ray said after scoring his 1,000th point last Thursday. “First and foremost, I want to get wins and I really want to go to the NCAA Tournament.

The Bobcats, ranked 19th nationally this week by D3hoops.com, are positioned for a run at an NCAA Division III tourney berth with a 15-2 overall record.

Ray dished out eight assists Tuesday night to lead Bates to a third straight victory. He has 224 steals and 501 assists. His assist total puts him ahead of Herb Taylor, who finished with 498 in 1984.

“My job this year hasn’t been to score, first and foremost,” Ray said. “We have guys who can light it up and it’s good to get those guys going early on and make sure they have the confidence to last them the rest of the game. Whereas I have confidence in myself and can get going regardless.”

Ray has been getting going a lot this season. He’s ranked 12th nationally among all NCAA Division III basketball players with 6.3 assists per game and 100 total.

Teammate Rob Stockwell, a senior forward ranked in the top 25 nationally in points and rebounds, says Ray’s lofty standing in Bates’ all-time record book is well-deserved.

“It’s just a testament to him and how unselfish he is,” Stockwell said last week. “He’s about to set the school assist record as well and that just shows how good he is as a player.”

For his part, Ray is more proud of his passing prowess.

“A thousand points to me means I’ve been consistent since I’ve been here and I’ve given everything I have to give. It’s not just me who scored the 1,000 points. It’s my teammates and the guys who set screens for me,” he explained. “Rob got 1,000 last year and the first thing he said to me was, ‘I couldn’t have done it without you’ and I feel the same way.”

“All-time assists means more to me. I’m actually kind of disappointed in myself that I didn’t get to the assists record before the points.”

Clippers sailing ahead of nation

The University of Maine-Machias Clippers open up a six-game home stand this weekend as the nation’s top team in two categories.

The Clippers, 14-4 overall and 4-1 in the Sunrise Conference, are leading NAIA Division II schools in blocked shots (6.5 per game for 117 total) and field-goal percentage defense (36.8), meaning teams are shooting just 36.8 percent against them. The Clippers are also fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 61.2 points per game.

Team statistics aren’t the only things for which the Clippers find themselves at the head of the pack. Freshman center David Butler leads NAIA Div. II players in blocks (85 total, 4.7 per game) and total rebounds (235, 13.1 per game). Junior forward Anthony McCoy ranks second nationally with 83 total offensive rebounds (4.6 per game).

The Mariners host UM-Fort Kent Saturday afternoon and Lyndon State College Sunday afternoon. Both games tip off at 3 p.m.