Okay, you need to use about an inch of substrate, that is probably why your UTH isn't heating up enough. Make sure the probe is under the substrate right over where the UTH is.

About your hides. Honestly I would think about getting different ones. The log hide doesn't really work as a hide for a ball python. They are far too open for this kind of shy snake. You need some small tight fitting hides that are low to the ground. You could go out and get some rock cave hides from the pet store but those can get kind of expensive. opaque plastic bowls with a hole cut out of the side work very well and are very cheap!

Move the lamp to the other side of the cage or the cool side. You don't need two heat sources on one side of the enclosure.