The Punahou School boys basketball team shook a huge monkey off its back last Saturday when it snapped four-time defending state champion Iolani's 104-game win streak against Hawai'i opponents.

But the Buffanblu have another hump to get over tonight, as they take on Palm Beach Lakes (West Palm Beach, Fla.) in the first round of the 22nd Annual Iolani Prep Classic. Tipoff is set for 6:30 at Iolani's Lower Gym.

Punahou participated in the previous two Classics, but went 0-4 against Mainland opponents, including 0-3 last year.

The Buffanblu (6-1) will try to break through tonight against the Rams, who are 6-2 but have been one of the top teams in South Florida the past several seasons.

"It's a fun, fun situation for our team to get to play against top Mainland competition," Punahou coach Greg Tacon said. "For this group, we'll face some adversity against Palm Beach Lakes with their athleticism, and trying to stick to our plan to dictate the tempo."

The Rams have a standout guard in Corey Claitt (6 foot 3), and some size at center with Steve Toyloy (6-8).

By Hawai'i standards, the Buffanblu have good size with 6-7 center Spencer McLachlin and 6-6 center/forward Keali'i Frank. They also have a two-time Advertiser All-State first team guard in Miah Ostrowski, a 5-9 junior.

But Punahou will be without Brenton Lee, a senior forward and three-year starter who suffered a ruptured achilles tendon and is out for the tournament.

The Buffanblu also are still putting the pieces together after their football team made it to the state championship game on Dec. 3. Ostrowski is an all-league receiver, and has been practicing basketball for only two weeks.

"We're still catching up," Tacon said.

Punahou's only loss came against Nanakuli in the season opener, when the Buffanblu suited up only seven players due to football and other school conflicts.

They have since won six straight, including a 67-56 comeback victory over Iolani in the James Alegre Invitational championship game. Tacon said playing in the past two Iolani Classics should help Punahou tonight.

In last year's Classic, the Buffanblu played Male (Louisville, Ky.), then-ranked No. 5 in basketball-rich Kentucky, and led until just under two minutes remaining before falling, 54-48.

"For guys like Miah, Spencer, Danny (Cho), this will be their third time around," Tacon said. "And Miah plays against top Mainland kids every summer, so he's got experience in those things."

For some of the other Hawai'i teams starting play in the 16-team tournament today, it definitely will be a new experience.

Nanakuli opens at 2 p.m. against Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.), which features 7-foot-3 center Jason Bennett and is No. 9 in USA Today's latest Super 25 rankings. At 3:30, Damien will play Urspring, the top high school team in Germany.

And at 8, Leilehua faces Mt. Vernon (N.Y.), ranked No. 14 by USA Today.

The No. 1-ranked team, Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), opens against defending state runner-up Kahuku on Monday.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.