Don't look now, but a pair of previously sleeping giants have awakened. And if they keep up their current pace, the rest of the Far East high school girls basketball circuit may end up on notice.

Sophomore Jamie Cheniault, newly installed point guard, averaged 14.3 points in three games, all victories, as Daegu American improved to 6-4 on the season, twice beating Korea International and topping Yongsan International-Seoul.

That's six straight victories, after opening the season with two defeats each to Seoul American and Seoul Foreign.

And two of last week's three games came on a lengthy road trip.

On Okinawa, a 2-14 record might seem worthy of little more than a write-off ... except where Kubasaki is concerned.

Long ago did Ornauer learn the lesson -- never count out the Dragons.

In 1987, they brought a 2-13 record into the Far East Tournament ... and led eventual champion Kadena by four points, 43-39, after three quarters.

In 2003-04, a Dragons squad thought to be rebuilding welcomed coach Bob Driggs back after a 12-year hiatus ... Kubasaki lost the season series to Kadena ... but ended up winning the Class AA tournament title.

In the last week, Kubasaki, which opened the season 0-12, has won twice in four tries and could have been 3-1, having missed 7 of 10 free throws in a 76-74 overtime loss to Maehara on Saturday.

Gaby Falco, a junior, is the one to watch here -- she scored 18 points in both of Kubasaki's games on Saturday, including a 57-51 win over Hokuzan.

How much better might Daegu and Kubasaki get in the four weeks leading up to Far East?

Just don't take them lightly, is the lesson to be learned here.