The basking spot is definitely not needed. Temps that high are definitely no food for BPs. We here prefer belly heat with hot spot of 88-90.
Also, carpet is very bad since it is tough to thoroughly clean it and can harbor bacteria which is no good. Newspaper would be fine, but not if it causes humidity to drop. In tanks with screen lids, it is nearly unheard of except maybe very humid climates/houses. Newspaper is common in tubs, or unmarked Kraft paper or imprinted newspaper. In tanks, coco chip and fiber tend to be the best.
Some snakes will bask, but that is largely a lizard thing and even snakes that do bask will use belly heat under a hide to digest most of the time or especially if the basking spot is not present.
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