It’s not what coach Todd Ferguson had in mind, especially considering the Tigers only lost one player to graduation in Heather Palmateer.

But injuries and flu have hampered Jeff West in the early-going. Whether it was ankle sprain or pneumonia, the Tigers usually haven’t been at full-force.

With the winter break, however, Ferguson’s team looks to be more at full-strength.

“We’re not as bad as our record indicates,” Ferguson said.

Jeff West has lost close games to Sabetha, Royal Valley and Nemaha Valley. Silver Lake, a team the Tigers could face in the championship, also defeated Jeff West this year.

The Tigers come into the tournament featuring five seniors — Courtney Sutton, Jasmine Myers, Autumn Weaver, Miranda Mullins and Ashley Garretson.

A 12-9 team last year, the Tigers fell to Hayden in the substate semifinals.

The previous season, the Tigers made it to the state tournament.

At 2-4 that might seem like a distant thought, but Jeff West is the defending Tonganoxie Invitational champion.

And coming into last year’s tourney, the Tigers were — an identical 2-4 mark.

“Yeah, we’ve got a chance,” Ferguson said.

Jeff West opened the tournament against Immaculata on Tuesday.