Agreed. I never bought the kids being close to Gohan. They are stronger than Piccolo but that's about it. Most of their praise is about them going Super Saiyan at such a young age, which isn't necessarily a power cap.
Blue was kicking Kuririn's ass even before he used his psychic powers.
Drum had Tenshinhan dead to rights before Goku showed up. He was not holding back at all.
No way was he a SSJ2. He didn't even think he could go SSJ1.
It's kind of vague how much Tagoma stacks up to Gotenks since they didn't really fight and the headbutt was a gag scene.
Of course Boo is stronger than SSJ Gohan. Gohan maybe even weaker than his start of Boo arc self, at least there...