Water in the tub will help humidity, to answer your question.

Being new, your ball pythons are probably just stressed. I would give them identical hides (one on the hot side and one on the cold). As for temps, you can leave your heat on constantly to give a 90*-92* hotspot. As for your cool side, I agree it's pretty cool. Is there any way you can warm up the room they are in? Ideally you want it to be closer to 80*. Once you get the temps and humidity sorted out and give them a week without disturbing them, try to feed them. Once they've eaten at least three times with you, then you can try to handle them. Hopefully their defensive attitude will have worn off.