JEWELL — Back in the South Hamilton High School parking lot after a trip to Parkersburg Thursday night, Matt Juber forced his players to spend a few extra minutes on the cold, dark school bus while he delivered a pointed message.

A few hours earlier, third-seeded South Hamilton had delivered one of its finest performances of the season — a 54-39 drubbing of second-seeded South Hardin in a Class 2A District 14 semifinal. And roughly 90 minutes later, the Hawks learned they’ll face fourth-seeded Hudson in the district final after the Pirates pulled off a shocking 41-39 upset over top-seeded and seventh-ranked Aplington-Parkersburg.

Juber’s message to his players? Anything can and often does happen in the postseason.

“I addressed the boys while they were still on the bus and I told them this time of year is why you play the game,” Juber said. “You never know what’s going to happen and you can’t take anything for granted, and just because the No. 1 (seed) goes down doesn’t mean (the district final) gets any easier for us.”

South Hamilton (14-7) and Hudson (11-12) will meet for the District 14 title Tuesday night in Iowa Falls. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

The district champion will advance to the Substate 7 final on Saturday inside the Roundhouse in Marshalltown. Awaiting will be the District 13 champ, either Pella Christian or Des Moines Christian.

South Hamilton is 6-1 over its last seven games and that success has started at the defensive end. Keyed by the gritty perimeter play from Quinton Grove, Doran Lutjen and Brock Galetich, the Hawks limited South Hardin to 10 first-half points on Thursday. They haven’t allowed more than 40 points in a regulation game since Feb. 8.

“The driving force all season has been defensive intensity and defensive urgency,” Juber said. “On nights where we bring those things we are a dang good team. We’re not going to wow you with our offensive talent, but if we choose to work then we become very tough.”

The Hawks will have to cool off a Hudson team that has gotten hot at just the right time. The Pirates have won three straight.

Bryce Griffin and Sam Hansen lead Hudson at 10.3 and 10.0 points per game.

Juber expects the Pirates to take the lead from essentially every opponent South Hamilton has faced this season and try to make somebody other than Cade Balvanz beat them. Balvanz, the Hawks’ 6-foot-5 senior center, averages 14.3 points and 6.4 rebounds an outing.

“I’m assuming Hudson will try to do something that tries to limit (Balvanz),” Juber said. “But we still have to try to play inside-out and get him some touches.”

Lutjen (12.0 points per game) and Grove (9.6) will be asked to step up, as will sophomore forward Austin Busch (6.3).

South Hamilton will be out to reach the substate round for the fifth consecutive season, a streak that began with a loss to Dike-New Hartford inside the Roundhouse back in 2016. The Hawks followed it up with three consecutive state-tournament appearances from 2017-19.

“The tradition, the culture and the expectations that the boys put on themselves all definitely matter,” Juber said. “They know what is expected from the coaches and also the people in the community. You control your own destiny and can take yourself as far as you want to go.”

TUESDAY

Who: South Hamilton (14-7) vs. Hudson (11-12).

What: Class 2A District 14 final.

Where: Iowa Falls-Alden High School, Iowa Falls.

Time: 7 p.m.

Next: Winner advances to Saturday’s Substate 7 final in Marshalltown.