Hey - instead of a heat lamp you are probably going to want to get an under tank heater - ball pythons need belly heat to help them digest. You can get these at the pet store for not too much - you just need to get a thermostat or at least a dimmer to go with it because the temps can get too hot with it and burn your snake.

You're on a good path especially with getting help from the people on here, they are a great help!