Raleigh youth team out $1,600 after league suddenly shuts down

But the team founder and coach realized something was wrong while at a tournament in Atlanta last weekend.

“When we went to the (gym) door and a parent found out there was nobody there,” he said. “The officers padlocked the doors and things of that sort. That's kind of when we found out.”

The basketball circuit shut down without warning, and McQueen’s team was out of the $1,600 it paid in fees.

“One way or another, you have to look at it as a scam,” said parent William Monden.

Circuit president David Kelly, in a statement sent Monday, said revenue was unable to cover operating expenses and that he did not run a good business.

“It really upset me that we were on our way to the championship type of rounds and we couldn't even play, and the kids were very disappointed and that hurt my heart,” McQueen said.

At least five North Carolina teams were impacted by the league's closure.

“I feel disappointed because we've been working hard since December and we were ready to play against some tough teams and go places that we've never been,” said player Justin Monden.